Wantagh High Schoolers Inducted Into World Language Honor Society

WANTAGH, NY — Wantagh High School celebrated as 63 foreign language students were inducted into the World Language Honor Society this spring.

Although the official ceremony was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event honored juniors enrolled in pre-Advanced Placement and level 4H World Language classes who accumulated a 90 GPA or higher in grades eight though 10 and in the first two quarters of their junior year combined. The students submitted essays in the language studied and met the school’s criteria for conduct.

Katherine Mazzer, president of the honor society, Vice President Timothy Migliaro, Secretary Matt Devine, Treasurer Travis Minutoli, Italian trustee Alyssa Lombardo and Spanish Trustee Celine Lopez organized the event.

Franco Zagari, an adviser, said this year’s program would have included keynote speakers and seniors Abigail Colaco and Athena Yao, who planned on speaking about their experiences in World Language and recent studies abroad. Two musical interludes were also planned, including musicians and singers James Degnan, Katriana Koppe, Keira Orgass and Robert Spiteri. Additionally, scheduled for the end of the program was a surprise tribute to retiring World Languages/ENL/Business Chairperson Patricia Calosso.

“We congratulate her on an incredible career and for bringing and keeping World Languages at the forefront of Wantagh’s academics,” Zagari said.

As part of tradition, the World Languages Department recognized seniors who excelled studying Spanish and Italian throughout their high school careers. Travis Minutoli received the Senior Award for Excellence in Italian, and Olivia Vinson won the Senior Award for Excellence in Spanish. Also recognized were seniors who completed work for the New York State Seal for Biliteracy. To earn this award, a senior must have completed a research project, performed in the language of study and presented to Calosso and world language faculty. Seniors who received this designation include Abigail Colaco (Spanish), Jacob Chan (Spanish), Julia Ferrara (Italian), Jenna Miller (Spanish), Kaitlin Steingruebner (Spanish) and Athena Yao (Spanish).

The Wantagh Union Free School District congratulated the following inductees:

Italian: Grace Ackermann, Samantha Allan, Kyle Anderson, Gianna Barberio, Scott Bindell, Rylee Brower, Charlotte Brunjes, Adriana Caiozzo, Gina Calise, Sabrina Caruso, Amanda Ciaramella, Mya Cocchiola, Julia Coppola, Olivia Corwin, Ashley Crispyn, Sierra Crowley, Emily DeRupo, Bianca Falco, Nicole Frascatore, Juliana Innella, Elizabeth Katz, Anna Kranis, Jake Latsko, Keira Loccisano, Michael Minars, Michael Montanile, Leena Moussa, Christopher Murale, Gabriella Nogara, Gabriella Pettinato, Nicolette Piscopo, Karlie Rizzi, Dominick Rossi, Allison Russo, Aiden Tietz Annie Troy.

Spanish: Aidan Araoz, Jillian Balkunas, Eric Benedetto, Tyler Burzenski, Hanna Carey, Danielle Colucci, Lauren Daniels, Emma Degnan, Julia Enella, Margaret Gates, Grace Kane, Carolyn Greaves, Catherine Hanauer, Kaden Ireland, Allison McGinn, Emma Merro, Christina Minerva, Katherine Mullane, Dylan Reich, Alexa Salerno, Kassidy Samaroo, Daniel Sanchez, Shannon Sullivan, Robert Spiteri, Kaitlyn Taggart, Jack Thiry and Melanie Volz.