001Oh yeah. Where should we sit? I have no idea. [Music] I don't know. [Music] Hello there. [Music] Yeah. Yeah. [Music] Do you have anything? [Music] We should start on it. I've already seen He calls himself. I made this two minutes ago. Okay. I said she said no. wildfires. No, he's correct. No, we looked it up. It was originally forest. Small forest. [Music] Oh I don't have [Music] Oh my god. [Music] All right. ready. I didn't see I don't think [Music] You guys are The first one was the first one. No one. Congratulations everybody. I did a Michael Jordan. Congratul I think I think I've already [Music] You have a question. No marks. Dash. No, it's not [Music] One of these Easter You want to see You want to take it? [Applause] Yeah. [Music] [Applause] rather
002than take it. Oh my god. This is like [Music] I know. What's your name? No, Don't Don't [Music] What the heck is that hair? That was your I'm happy. [Music] What? [Music] I have a question. [Music] Oh my gosh. There we go. in my mind. But it has I have no Oh yeah. Please I'm not sure. I like this. Welcome to the KGO Academy. If the fire alarm should sound, please proceed to the nearest exit located at the left and right front and rear of the theater. Please take a moment to power down electronic devices as they are distracting performers and other members of tonight's audience. Thank you for familiarizing yourself with the concert etiquette information located at the back cover of your program. Enjoy the performance. [Music] You are my favorite. [Music] Where are
003you? [Music] Hallelujah. [Music] Oh my god. [Music] Welcome members of Canada City School District, administration, faculty and staff, parents and family members and students. Welcome to CA's 2025 National Honor Society induction ceremony. I would like to introduce Kenneda Academy standard bearer and custodian of the flag, Charles Dricomi and Abigail McKean. Charlie and Abby lead the academy in reciting the pledge every morning and we ask them to lead us in reciting the pledge again tonight. Please stand. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We have gathered here to formally recognize those students who have successfully completed their candidacy this spring and are being inducted as new members of our NHS chapter. We are
004proud to induct new members of the class of 2026 and ceremony indicates the continuing emphasis on excellence that we represent at CA. Throughout the year, members of our chapter serve as role models for our community. And in addition to the strong academic records that establish their eligibility for membership, our chapter members are leaders in many of the academy student organizations, activities, athletic teams, performing ensembles, and clubs. We serve through partnerships with these groups as well as our initiatives such as read across America week at the primary school and the semianual American Red Cross blood drives. I am so proud of the accomplishments of our current members and welcome these new members who I'm sure will bring their energy and ideas in support of our continuing efforts. Before beginning our program, I'd like to take a
005moment to recognize this year's executive committee who've demonstrated initiative, leadership, and diligence in the operations of the NHS this year. When your name is announced, please stand and remain standing. Our president, Aiden Telba, our vice president, Alex Chen, our treasurer, Jack Stanny, our secretary, our group service manager Anna Nicholson, our independent service manager, Eleanor Martin, uh, and our public relations officers, Karen Mosscato and Schneckenberger. Please offer a round of applause in appreciation to Over many years at CA, it has been a privilege of members of the National Honor Society to recognize a member of the Canigua Academy faculty who has demonstrated dedication to our school excellence in teaching and sincere commitment to our students. I would like to invite Secretary Taylor Piney and member Zoe Baker and Alexandra Crer to introduce this year's recipient. This
006year's NHS teacher of the year began teaching at CA in 1999. Having previously taught for over a decade at John Stark Regional High School in New Hampshire in Fabia's Pompy High School. Throughout his career, he has taken on several roles including coaching basketball, cross country, track, robotics, instructing on computer programming and mathematics, and serving as a treasured colleague and friend. Students also appreciate his knowledge as well as his willingness to step up and help whether it's math or anything else. Several seniors have said that he's the first math teacher to explain things in a way that we can understand. Others note that that he helps us grow mentally and physically. Being a coach, he teaches his athletes to always believe in themselves and the importance of resilience. Having taught nearly every math class, this teacher
007constantly holds high expectations for his students and they rise to meet them. His students value his energy, compassion, and genuine love for teaching. As reflected in another one of his famous sayings, I don't teach math, I teach kids. For the past 26 years, students in and out of CA's classrooms have reaped the benefits of his teaching and leadership. Not only does he inspire others through his words of wisdom like make your last one your best one, but he also leads by example, having run several marathons, most notably the Boston Marathon. He still runs occasionally today despite dedicating most of his time to others. He demonstrates the characteristics he wishes to instill in those around him like resilience, caring, and compassion. In fact, after he was presented with this award during school hours, the only thing
008he could say was that he could think of dozens of others who deserve this award more than him. Showing how truly humble and selfless he is. One senior who nominated him wrapped up what is so special about this man. He's not only a dedicated teacher and coach, but he makes every life he touches better. Congratulations to the NHS teacher of the year, Matt Ward. [Music] Thank you guys. [Applause] Park made this first of all. Amazing. It's the symbol which is a construction hat which we use in cross country on recognizing kids who put forth a wonderful effort for that meet, that race, that week, not necessarily the fastest. And then there's signatures of all right class. Beautiful. [Applause] [Music] Welcome members of the senior class of National Honor Society, parents, faculty, staff, members of our
009great community, and especially to our new inductees. Now, is it 2025 or 26? Okay, got it. So, it's the class of 2026 National Honor Society. Congratul Congratulations, guys, on achieving this high honor for doing the work, all the work in the many required areas it took to get here. This is something to take great pride in. It wasn't a quick accomplishment. Rather, it required grit and staying power. Some things that are said to be lacking in today's youth. I disagree with that opinion and you amazing young folks are proof that I'm right. It's truly an honor to be standing here in front of you and to be selected tonight. When I look out among you all, both seniors and juniors, there's one thing I see above all others. I see character. Sure, super GPA, amazing
010test scores, gifts, talents, outstanding resumes. They're all here. But most importantly, our personal values. You've all succeeded while doing it the right way. First, I'd like to take a couple minutes to address National Society core pillars. And since almost anything I talk about, I relate to running in some way, I'll connect each of these pillars with we on our team talk about often, sometimes even daily during my career coaching here. Quick aside, Miss Click's son Derek ran for us way back in the day. He's a member of our cross country team when he first was a new student here at CI, I believe. And he was a great kid, contributed much to our team, and I really think he found his tribe and helped him transition to CA a lot easier. I think you'd be
011about 38 now. Pillar number one, scholarship. National Honor Society defines it as overcoming academic challenges and excelling, being a lifelong learner. What we often said and see it in cross country, be comfortable, being uncomfortable, and be curious of your potential. Pillar number two, NHS leadership. Leading by example, not by authority. Lead quietly and lead every day. Cross country, we said just show up and fake it till you make it. Pillar number three, service. National Honor Society said you should have community impact. Volunteer, mentor, for they all build character and they teach empathy. At CA, we said, "Be the reason why somebody else has a great practice today." And pillar number four, character. National Honor Society defines as building integrity and resilience through failure. Show kindness and humility. And what we said was, "What do you
012do when no one's watching?" Well, these pillars are the foundation National Honor Society. I believe they can be applied to any aspect of life. And now that you all are new members of this prestigious organization, it's your charge to apply these pillars every day. Make them living, breathing items and incorporate them into whatever you choose to do in life. But how do you do this? One word, create. When I say the word create or creative or creativity, what do you all think? Get a thought in your head. Maybe a picture, maybe a definition. The Oxford dictionary's first entry is relating to or involving the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work. So many of us probably pictured a novel, sculpture, a painting, maybe an interpretive dance, a stage production, something
013more connected to the fine arts. This type of creativity is important. They say fine arts is what gives life its beauty. But it's not all. There's another idea of creativity, another definition. Creativity is making something that was not there before that never existed. And this I believe is your quest, your goal, what you should do, what you should be looking to do once you leave East Hall of K. I know many of you here today, some of you quite well either through class or sports. But I'd like to take to call out, not by name, but by future direction, three young people that are here. I'm going to exemplify how this idea of creativity fits for them and maybe for you too. One young man in this room aspires to be a stonemason. Very cool.
014Not a typical career path of an NHS member, but he's not your typical young person either. What does creativity look like for him? Well, at the end of every workday, he has the luxury of from a space where there's nothing, there's now a beautiful stone wall. He can see and touch his creativity. But also maybe could this wall be part of an art gallery? Or better yet, could it be a foundation of an oncology center where people go to get chemotherapy treatments in their battle to beat cancer? Another young person does indeed aspire to be an artist, excuse me. She loves many different mediums, has a drive, dedication and the gift of making beautiful pieces that bring joy to others. But could this creativity also be our therapy? Maybe her creativity, maybe her creativity is
015helping a person struggling with a neurological disorder to create her own art and that art could improve that lady's quality of life immensely. Our third young person here is going to study occupational therapy. I think she wants to work with prechool age kids. When she leaves from work every day, maybe she hasn't built anything or created any work for her. Most likely things are just as they were when she came into work that morning. But maybe there's a young girl, three or four, someone who never spoke or engaged with students. She just spent her day alone. But maybe that day she played a game with her new teacher friend. Or maybe that young girl never talked before and she went home that night and told a story to her mom and dad about the teacher.
016Maybe this was the first story she ever told. Now, some of you might not be like these three individuals. You might say to yourself, "I don't know what I want to do. How can I create?" Where can you make something that never existed? Where can you show your creativity when you have no idea where you're going or what you want to do? How about this? Take some time, maybe even tonight before you go to bed, and think of something you would do. Even if it was free, you don't need to get paid. You just do something for the deep passion of it. Then think about how you can make that your career. Don't simply say, "Hey, I want to make a lot of money, so I'm going to do this job." Stay in that passion
017realm. Don't corrupt the sincere core belief you have with a dollar sign. Figure out a way to make it pure, honest, something you would do for free. Then work hard. Work extremely hard, as hard as you have here at CA, to make that dream come true. This becomes your life's work. I consider myself very lucky with my life's work. When I first went to college back in 1982, my major is computer science and The computer back then was a mainframe as big as a room. No laptops, no PCs. And the computing power was a fraction of what we have in our phones in our pockets. Did that for two years before deciding to take a break from college. Just computer programming wasn't for me. I needed to find myself as we used to all say.
018So I moved to the Rochester area, worked some odd jobs, some with very little prospects, a couple with some potential, but really spoke to me. Met my wife, got married, and we had a beautiful daughter. But for a career, I knew there was much more out there than what I was doing. I wanted to do more. I wanted to give back. I wanted to do something with people. So, three years after I left college, I decided to go back to back to school to Brockport this time to become a teacher. Something very very far from my radar when I was your age. very far. But this choice by far was one of the best decisions I've ever made. So now I speak to you today as I'm finishing my 36th year of teaching. Holy cow.
019Almost all have been too first sign as someone said New Hampshire. The rest have been here. And I'm much closer to the end than the beginning. And these ideas of making something that didn't exist or doing it for free or life's work are much more front and center to me. They resonate much more. I'd like to think I've done them at least a little. Some creative such as cross country team environment where kids feel seen, heard, welcome, welcome and a part of something. or a classroom environment where kids are invested, are comfortable, are able to ask questions, to fail, and to not be judged. Believe it or not, guys, your life will pass a lot quicker than you think, and you'll be looking here as well. So, tonight, I celebrate you, seniors, and the new
020class, juniors, inductees, and all your great efforts. But we also look for to what you want to accomplish and what you will accomplish next. Do your life's work. Be comfortable being uncomfortable. Make the world a better place. Live the NHS pillars every day in everything you do. And be creative. Make something that wasn't there before. And what that something is, it's totally up to you. Congratulations again. We're all very proud of you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Ward. Thank you. It is at this time that we proclaim to all in attendance that membership in the Canad Academy chapter of the National Honors Society has earned by these candidates through the effective demonstration of four qualities that serve as standards for the society. Members of the chapter will now review these qualities for the candidates. Alex
021Chen will begin by speaking about scholarship. Scholarship denotes a commitment to learning. A student is willing to spend hours in reading and study knowing the lasting benefits of a cultivated mind. We should continue to learn even when formal education is attended. For learning ends only with the end of life. Knowledge is one great element in life which leads to the highest success and it can be acquired in only one way through diligence and effort. Learning furnishes the lamp by which we read the past, the torch guiding us to understand the present and the light that illuminates the future. Candidates have the charge to continually expand their world through the opportunities inherent in scholarship. Jack Stanley will now That service can be established in the routine of of the day's work where many opportunities arise to
022help others both at school and in the community. A willingness to work for the benefit of those in need without monetary compensation or Public recognition is the quality we seek in our membership and promote for the entire student body. We are committed to volunteering our time and talents to create a stronger and more compassionate community. I now ask Macy Schneckenberger to speak about Leadership should exert a wholesome influence on the school. In taking initiative in the classroom and in school activities, the real leader strives to train and aid others to reach their common goals of success. The price of leadership is sacrifice. The willingness to yield one's personal interests for the interests of others. A leader has self-confidence and will go forward when others hesitate. No matter what power and resources may exist in the
023school, community or nation, they are ineffectual without the guidance of a wise leader. Leadership is always needed. Thus, to lead is a meaningful and substantive charge to each of our members. Our final pillar, character, will be addressed by Karina Mscala. Character is the force within in the individual that distinguishes each person from others. It is that without which no one can respect oneself nor hope to attain the respect of others. It is this force of character that guides one through life and once developed grows steadily within. Character is achieved and not received. It is the product of constant thought, action, and daily striving to make the right choice. We must be in reality what we wish to appear to others, to be rather than to seem by demonstrating qualities such as respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness,
024caring, and citizenship. We may hope to prove by example that we value character. At this time, will the new inductees please rise, raise your right hand, and The pledge can follow the text as the program. Raise your right hand and please join me in reciting the pledge. I pledge to uphold I pledge to uphold the high purposes of the National Honor Society the high purposes of the National Honor Society to which I have been selected to which I have been selected. I will be true to the principles I will be true to the principles for which it stands for which it stands and will maintain and encourage and will maintain and encourage high standards of high standards of scholarship service leadership and character scholarship Thank And now, as your name is called, please step forward
025to receive your certificate. Pray Austin. [Applause] Aaron Burner. [Music] Amelia Barry. [Music] for blue. [Applause] Michaela Casey, [Applause] [Music] Connor Cisery. [Applause] Shirley Chen. [Applause] [Music] Shane Cook. [Applause] [Music] Anna Simon speak. [Applause] [Music] Jack Dedric. [Applause] [Music] Maxwell Ectel. [Music] Delany Galahan. [Applause] Maya Henry, Andrew Bis. [Applause] Grace Lewis. [Applause] [Music] Riley Lewis. [Applause] [Music] JN vin. [Applause] Joshua M, [Applause] Walter Marshall. [Applause] [Music] Gloria Mcalton. Catherine McPetridge. [Music] Sylvia [Applause] Savannah nasal rod. [Music] Caitlyn. Patrick [Music] Golden Natalie who [Applause] [Music] Rain H. [Applause] [Music] Nora Piper. [Applause] Benjamin [Applause] roller Riley. [Applause] Lola Short. [Applause] [Music] Leah has sheridan. [Music] Violet sickles. [Applause] Pet. [Applause] [Music] Miriam Triccomi. [Applause] [Music] Matthew. All [Music] right. Jillian Vic [Applause] [Music] Sarah V. [Applause] [Music] Ryan Weller. [Applause] [Music] Taylor Zangi. [Applause] [Music] And now,
026please welcome our principal, Mrs. Marissa Lo, who will offer congratulatory remarks to the new members. Good evening. Could we give them a round of applause? [Music] I just want to say congratulations one more time to this terrific group of students. Many people associate NHS with an excellent academic record, but it is so much more than that. As you learned tonight, the National Honor Society is about being a leader, having strong character, and giving back to the community. It takes special people to achieve greatness in all of those pillars, and we're so lucky to have so many of them here on this stage tonight. I'm encouraging each and every one of you to continue to represent Canada with pride. Continue to be leaders. Continue to volunteer your time. And don't forget to keep your grades up.
027Always remember, you can't do this without your support team that's here in the audience. So, make sure you say thank you to them tonight. [Music] Congratulations. Thank you all for attending our NHS induction ceremony. Please join us for the reception in their honor of that. [Applause] [Music]