MMI Preparatory School inducted 23 new members into the Science National Honor Society and 16 new members into the Mathematics National Honor Society during a ceremony at the school.
During the ceremony, Assistant Head of School Charles Seidel welcomed guests, and National Science Honor Society Advisor Michael Mele introduced the officers of the two honor societies. Jonathan Smith, president of MMI’s Mathematics National Honor Society chapter, and Ali Aijaz, president of the MMI’s Science National Honor Society chapter, each gave a speech. National Math Honor Society Advisor Susan Moyer introduced the guest speaker, William Van Horn ’98. MMI Interim Head of School D. Scott Wiggins gave closing remarks. Skyler Stabin provided piano accompaniment.
Aijaz and Mele presented certificates to the new inductees of the Science National Honor Society (SNHS). The purpose of the society is to encourage participation in, and recognition of, scientific and intellectual thought, to advance the students’ knowledge of classical and modern science, to communicate with the scientific community, to aid the civic community with its comprehension of science, and to encourage students to participate in community service to foster a dedication to the pursuit of scientific knowledge that benefits all mankind.
MMI’s newly inducted members of the Science National Honor Society are: Angelica Alday, daughter of Dr. Senen Alday and Dr. Milagros Azcueta-Alday, Mountaintop; Lauren Babinetz, daughter of Michael and Patricia Babinetz, Jim Thorpe; Michael Badamo, son of Anthony and Jessica Badamo, Sugarloaf; David Caldwell, son of David and Maria Caldwell, Mountaintop; Eric Degenhart, son of John and Janet Degenhart, Hazleton; Kyle Falatko, son of Robert Falatko and Christine Falatko, Freeland; Aaron Harman, son of Ronald and Yvonne Harman, Drums; Joshua Kalada-Kania, son of Kevin Kania and Susan Kalada, Drums; Sydney Karpowich, daughter of Atty. Donald Karpowich and Tracy Gallagher, Sugarloaf; Caitlyn Kline, daughter of Dr. John and Dr. June Kline, Mountaintop; Eve Kornblatt, daughter of Joseph and Georgia Kornblatt, Kingston; Garrett Kost, son of Joseph and Natalie Kost, Freeland; Gabriella Kupsho, daughter of Dr. Robert and Diane Kupsho, Drums; John Malay, son of John and Kathryn Malay, Jim Thorpe; Catherine Matyas, daughter of Michael and Wendisue Matyas, Sugarloaf; Caelyn McGran, daughter of John and Barbara McGran, Drums; Olivia Minzola, daughter of Joseph and Debra Minzola, Drums; Mahad Muhammad, son of Ikram and Alia Muhammad, Mountaintop; George Palermo, son of Mary Kelly Palermo, Sugarloaf, and George Palermo, Hoboken, NJ; Abigail Paul, daughter of Rustin and Cynthia Paul, Jim Thorpe; Julia Snyder, daughter of Dr. Christopher and Dr. Jill Snyder, Sugarloaf; Daniel Tron, son of Dr. Eduardo Tron and Dr. Graciela Bianco, Mountaintop; and Cole Wenner, son of Darren and Tracy Wenner, Lehighton.
Smith and Moyer presented certificates to the new inductees of the Mathematics National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta. The purpose of the society is to inspire a keen interest in mathematics, develop strong scholarship in the subject, and promote the enjoyment of mathematics in high school.
MMI’s newly inducted members of the Mathematics National Honor Society are: Angelica Alday, daughter of Dr. Senen Alday and Dr. Milagros Azcueta-Alday, Mountaintop; Lauren Babinetz, daughter of Michael and Patricia Babinetz, Jim Thorpe; David Caldwell, son of David and Maria Caldwell, Mountaintop; Aaron Harman, son of Ronald and Yvonne Harman, Drums; Joshua Kalada-Kania, son of Kevin Kania and Susan Kalada, Drums; Sydney Karpowich, daughter of Atty. Donald Karpowich and Tracy Gallagher, Sugarloaf; Caitlyn Kline, daughter of Dr. John and Dr. June Kline, Mountaintop; Eve Kornblatt, daughter of Joseph and Georgia Kornblatt, Kingston; Gabriella Kupsho, daughter of Dr. Robert and Diane Kupsho, Drums; Marc Lobitz, son of Dr. Mark and Stephanie Lobitz, Hazleton; John Malay, son of John and Kathryn Malay, Jim Thorpe; Mahad Muhammad, son of Ikram and Alia Muhammad, Mountaintop; George Palermo, son of Mary Kelly Palermo, Sugarloaf, and George Palermo, Hoboken, NJ; Mark Sitch, son of Mark and Rosemarie Sitch, Weatherly; and Cole Wenner, son of Darren and Tracy Wenner, Lehighton.
Guest speaker William Van Horn ’98 is a 2002 graduate of Penn State Hazleton, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business with a concentration in financial services. He has built his career through numerous accounting and finance roles within local manufacturing companies. Currently, he is the Finance Manager for SEKISUI SPI in Bloomsburg, where he has worked since 2009. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the finance department including accounts payable, capital project spending, financial reporting, regulatory reporting, and compliance. He also supports the planning, forecasting, and analysis activities of the business. He is a certified management accountant (CMA) and is also a board member of the local chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA).
Bill and his wife, Goldie, live in Drums with their daughters, Caroline and Cecily. They are members of Grace Baptist Church in Hazleton, where Bill serves as a deacon.
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