Excellence in Mathematics is alive and well at Putnam
Valley High School! On the evening of March 3, 2008, a
new group of members joined the Putnam Valley High School
chapter of the Mu Alpha Theta (MAT) math honor society
at its annual Induction Ceremony.
Mrs. Jerri Cohen, Advisor, President Victoriea
Hamilton, Dr. Marc Space, Superintendent of Schools for
Putnam Valley, and Mr. Richard Herlihy, PVHS Principal,
led off the evening with welcoming words and the Pledge
of Allegiance. 2008 officers Hamilton, Jackson Gilman-Forlini,
Esther Sportello, and Hannah Schmidt, each gave a short
presentation describing an aspect of MAT’s History
and Mission. Dr. Guy M. Cohen, Senior Clinical Director
at Pfizer, Inc., provided the keynote address.
The highlight of the induction ceremony was the Candle
Lighting Ceremony, followed by presentations on Scholarship,
Leadership, Service, and Character given by inductees
Megan Mahoney, Ian Cummings, Maria Pagani, and Daniel
Faber-Manning. The Presentation of Pins, Certificates,
and Membership Cards was followed by the Signing of Membership
Book, led by Hannah Schmidt.
Mrs. Cohen’s closing remarks signaled the beginning
of a festive reception for the new inductees. Newly inducted
members are Samantha Arzon, Alexander Basso, Courtney
Bobik, Savannah Brown, Julie Castro, Henry Chen, Kimberly
Christopher, Daniel Consolazio, Ian Cummings, Jennifer
Davis, Eric Ebeling, Daniel Faber-Manning, Janelle Herelle,
Jenna Isabella, Ohnshil Kim, Nicholas Legrady, Megan Mahoney,
Ashley Morgan, Maria Pagani, Kristen Ricci, Kaitlyn Smith,
Georgia Sommer, Giovanna Spica, Peter Sportello, Stephanie
Stoisits, Hannah Tavella, Heather Valle, Ciara Walsh,
and Caitlin White. The following members of the Class
of 2008 will wear the colors of Mu Alpha Theta, as honor
cords, as they graduate in June 2008: Shannon Brown, Kristin
Brown, Melinda Cestaro, Jackson Gilman-Forlini, Christopher
Harding, Alexandra Huyghe, Nicholas Legrady, Ronald Mahnert,
Katherine Mahoney, Katherine Mias, Joseph Rao, Thomas
Ricci, Hannah Schmidt, Katelyn Sillery, Esther Sportello,
and Jonathan Zupan In addition to their regular tutoring
of their peers in Mathematics, Mu Alpha Theta members
provide leadership and assistance at the Math Nights held
at the Elementary and Middle Schools. During the past
year, Mu Alpha Theta members helped to collect pajamas
for the Pajama Program of Westchester and the Putnam Community
Action Program. They also actively participated in the
collection of coats and jackets during November and December
and boxed them for delivery to Putnam CAP. The group will
begin collecting pajamas for the Pajama Program (spring
and summer styles for children up to the age of twelve)
again soon. Donations of pajamas and checks to the “Pajama
Program” will be accepted.
A photo display featuring portraits of each of the new
inductees is posted in the entry way to PVHS, thanks to
the Principal’s Secretary, Mrs. Maureen Bellino.
Mu Alpha Theta’s Co-Advisors are Mrs. Jerri Cohen
and Mrs. Melissa Rossano.
