By JESSICA HARDING
Staff Writer
HIGHLANDS — Members of The Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) National Honor Society (NHS) might see some new faces around.
Eighteen new members have been inducted into the Middletown school’s chapter.
Junior inductees include: Brianna P. Astorino of Little Silver, Jonah S. Bass of Ocean, Victoria K. Coles of Oceanport, Elizabeth I. Colyer of Belmar, Katherine S. Costllo of Wall, Sara J. Fitzgerald of Middletown, Emily G. Fuller of Brielle, Anna K. Goddard of Locust, Katherine C. Gould of Rumson, Cameo R. Mooney of Red Bank, Megan C. Scafaria of Colts Neck, Mallory M. Solazzo of Belford and Thomas Welch of Middletown.
Senior inductees include: Adrianna P. Barazotti of Howell, Sydney X. Battaglia of Tinton Falls, Alexis B. Bennett of Keyport, Justin M. Konecny of Middletown and Noah R. Weiss of Freehold.
Formed in 1921 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the NHS has become a nationwide organization.
Inductees are selected based on a criteria of scholarship, service, leadership and character. Monthly service projects as a club and four hours of monthly service per member are required.
MAST has had its chapter for over 25 years. With the new inductees, the total number of current members is 38.
Each inductee was presented with a certificate, membership card and a pin of recognition for the chapter by current members.
Serving on the organization’s current board at MAST are: President Jillian Kasun, Vice President Katherine Scott, Treasurer Danielle Kaden, Secretary Sierra Byrne and Parliamentarian Mick Zimmerman.
MAST’s Principal Earl Moore is extremely proud of these students.
“Being a member of the National Honor Society is not only an accomplishment in itself, which it most certainly is,” he began, “but it is also a commitment to continue to be held to the highest expectations for scholarship, leadership, service and character as students continue their time at MAST.
“We all hope that these commitments stretch even beyond their high school years and remain with them for the rest of their lives — because being a member of NHS is an achievement of distinction that identifies members as a people others can look up to and can count on,” Moore said.
Along with the induction of new student members, the cadets also voted CDR Tracie Smith-Yeoman as an honorary NHS member. She retired from the U.S. Navy and is a senior naval science instructor. She was presented with a plaque.
CDR Smith-Yeoman is a graduate of Mater Dei Prep High School and the University of South Carolina. She heads the MAST Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Program.
English teacher and current MAST NHS advisor Kathryn Trinidad loves these students and the opportunity to advise them.
“I am honored to be the advisor to such amazing young men and women,” she said.