Trinity Hall Inducts Inaugural Members into Cum Laude Society

Trinity Hall recently recognized and celebrated the academic achievements of seniors and juniors during the school’s first Cum Laude Society induction ceremony. The top 20 percent of the senior class and five members of the junior class were inducted into the honor society, of which Trinity Hall became a member this year.

Founded in 1906, the Cum Laude Society is dedicated to honoring scholastic achievement in secondary schools. The founders of the society modeled Cum Laude after Phi Beta Kappa and in the years since its founding, Cum Laude has grown to 382 chapters, approximately two dozen of which are located in public schools and the rest in independent schools. Membership is predominantly in the United States, but chapters also are located in Canada, England, France, Spain, Puerto Rico and the Philippines.

Trinity Hall was honored to have Dr. Darryl J. Ford, regent of the Cum Laude Society's District II and head of school of William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia, attend the ceremony to welcome Trinity Hall into membership.

He shared, “It has been abundantly clear that Trinity Hall’s application for membership should be both approved and celebrated for all that your school has achieved and continues to strive for in the realms of learning, inquiry, and pursuit of knowledge. This moment which marks Trinity Hall’s and your academic excellence is fostered and sustained by your teachers, parents, and trustees who desire to provide you, Trinity Hall students, with the best education possible.”

The following students were granted membership into Trinity Hall’s chapter of the Cum Laude Society: Class of 2021: Giovanna DeJohn, Isabella Giallanza, Kathleen Lee, Caitlin Ramos, Lucy Retterer, Meredith Sheftel, Gabriella Sorrentino, Veronica Szenzenstein, Kailey Totland, Leighton Van Wagner, Charlotte Walsh, and Lauren Ward; Class of 2022: Caroline Cashman, Catherine Closkey, Sanan Gueyikian, Lydia Lu, and Kira Newbert.

Also inducted into the Trinity Hall chapter were faculty members Kali Lambrou (STEM teacher), Alyssa Morreale (director of college counseling), and Nicole Sadowski (STEM team leader and teacher). These faculty members were honored for their service at Trinity Hall, leadership roles, advanced degrees, and commitment to professional development.

Mary M. Sciarrillo, head of school and president of Trinity Hall’s Cum Laude Society chapter, presented the member certificates and charged the inductees with the responsibility of making contributions to the ongoing search for greater understanding of the world in which we live. Chapter Secretary and Dean of Students Dr. Melissa Whelan read the society motto and distributed the society pins.

“Our commitment to academic excellence has grown since our first days. As a faculty, being part of the Cum Laude Society was always the goal,” said Mrs. Sciarrillo. “Together we worked toward this moment when the entire community celebrates academic excellence. Our inductees have distinguished themselves and are recognized for their commitment to learning and scholarship. They serve as models for our community. Congratulations!”

About Trinity Hall
Trinity Hall is an independent, all-girls school that educates and empowers young women in the Catholic tradition through an innovative college preparatory program grounded in four core values of leadership, respect, perseverance and faith. Trinity Hall prepares each student to achieve her full potential as she embraces her place in the world. For more information please visit www.trinityhallnj.org or call 732-291-1297.

# # #