It is with immense pride that Walt Whitman High School was able to recognize and celebrate their exceptional students at the Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society induction ceremony on March 10th, 2026. Rho Kappa is the only national organization for high school students that recognizes excellence in the field of Social Studies. The mission and purpose of the Walt Whitman Chapter is to acknowledge excellence not only in social studies but also civic engagement, leadership, community service and scholarship. 

 

We were delighted to welcome 53 new inductees, a record for the Whitman chapter, and honor 48 senior members. These students share a common excitement and enthusiasm for learning about how the past has shaped the world we know today, and using their knowledge of the important contributions of individuals and groups within history to aid in their abilities to contribute to their own communities. To add to the special evening, teachers in the high school’s Social Studies department nominated exceptional seniors for special awards. We celebrate this group of students for their dedication to exemplary leadership, exceptional achievement in Social Studies, and their energetic dedication to community service.

 

A special thank you goes out to co-advisors Jillian Casey and Ralph Milazzo for making this year’s induction ceremony possible, Social Studies Department Chairperson Dr. James Corcoran, as well as our Social Studies Honor Society Officers, President Ryan Pastore, Vice President Camry Cuozzo, Treasurer Shay Lublin, and Secretary Jillian Kobel. 
 

Congratulations to our 2026 Inductees: Emma Abrescia, Dua Amer, Marilyn Bentler, Miles Berman, Alexis Blain, Ella Brenner, Derek Busch, Emily Butterfield, Giuliana D'Antoni, Isabella David, Andie DeVinney, Selina Dong, Michael Eastwood, Parker Eisner, Gianna Espinal, Ethan Ewart, Layla Ezzat, Maeve Fallon, Isabella Fleites, Sarah Guzman Nunez, Sydney Henkel, Taylor Imhof, Emma Jacoutot, Jazmynn Julien, Abigail Kaloo, Priscilla Kenny, Alexis Koffer, Garrick Lo, Brooke Maiorana, Eva Marichal Umpierrez, Ashley McNally, Eren Mo, Carlos Morales Santos, Aniyah Mubasher, Rehan Naseer, Maeve O'Connor, Ashley Paz Guillermo, Francesco Pugliese, Alaina Qureshi, Amanda Ratchford, Kevin Reyes Lazo, Josue Rivera Jr., Alexandra Rojas, Dylan Rojas, Alexandra Samuel, Emily Sharp, Melissa Stuyvesant, Olivia Tintera, Timothy Treubig, Caroline Tulipano, Sophia Valle, Hayli Wuss, and Max Zhang.

Congratulations to our seniors members: Andrew Badalamenti, Nicole Bell, Jack Biblow, Tyler Biblow, Adrian Burga, Deisy Cantillo, Emily Cary, Tracey Cesar, Jordan Churchman, Analia Cimadevilla, Camryn Cuozzo, Anthony DePalo, Mason Diamond, Lauren Dinstell, Samantha Dinstell, Jonathan Duffy, Ibrahim Farooq, Avni Gandhi, Alexander Gillet, Harrison Green, Isabel Hassman, Lucas Hill Mendizabal, Jillian Kobel, Dylan Lemke, Nathan Lublin, Shay Lublin, Megan Lyte, Lucia Maniatis, Tatiana Marr, Justin Martinez, Jordyn Nicholls, Ryan Pastore, Ryan Perillo, Gabriel Raynor, Brian Rollman, Kate Sabellico, Lucien Saint Cyr, Angely Saravia, Aryaa Shah, Anish Sharma, Ayaan Siddiqui, Shayaan Siddiqui, Kritz-George Taku, Jade Tintera, Gabriella Varellas, Jaslyne Ventura, JackVollmer, Jake Williams, and Ryan Yuen.

 

Photo Gallery

 

 

Thank you to co-advisors Ralph Milazzo (left) and Jillian Casey (right) and Social Studies Honor Society Officers (left to right) Vice President Camry Cuozzo, Secretary Jillian Kobel, President Ryan Pastore, and Treasurer Shay Lublin.

 

Senior members walked across the stage to receive their honor society cords to be worn at graduation in May.

 

New inductees were given certificates by Ms. Casey, commencing their involvement in the prestigious honor society.

 

Congratulations to Social Studies Award winners Jack Biblow, Jillian Kobel, Isabel Hassman, Tatiana Marr, Ryan Pastore, Nicole Bell, Alexander Gillet, Ana Pichardo Chacon, Tracey Cesar, and Jordan Churchman. The Class of 2026 award winners stood with their teachers and faculty members who nominated them.

 

Congratulations to the new inductees into the Walt Whitman Chapter of Rho Kappa!

 

Congratulations and best of luck to Whitman’s senior members!

 

Teachers, students and their families were welcomed to the South Cafeteria after the induction ceremony for some dessert light refreshments.