Social Studies Scholars Inducted into Rho Kappa

Fourteen Upper School students were inducted this week into Rho Kappa, Hamden Hall’s honor society that recognizes excellence in social studies.

“It is an honor to serve as the advisor for this group of hard-working, dedicated young people. Their zeal for civic engagement and for spreading kindness is such a remarkable change from many of the sniping and divisive rhetoric we hear seemingly on a daily basis,” said chapter advisor Dr. Lisa Hill during her opening remarks.
 
The induction ceremony was conducted virtually by Dr. Hill and senior Josh Mukharjee, who serves as the current chapter president. Josh reminded his peers that the society’s name symbolizes “our firm belief that knowledge without service is useless.”
 
As part of the oath, the scholars promised service to Hamden Hall and to the community and to lead by example. According to Dr. Hill, inductees were chosen after a lengthy, careful nomination and selection process. This is the fourth such induction ceremony for Hamden Hall's chapter.
 
“You are here because your peers felt as if you were worthy successors or contemporaries. Please do not take this charge lightly,” maintained Dr. Hill.

Head of School Bob Izzo also offered remarks and noted that "studying social studies and the social sciences helps us develop many of the skills that we can use to make our communities and the world a better place."

"Two years ago, my talk at the RHO KAPPA ceremony was about leading by persuasion, leading from the middle, and being a Uniter.  Given some of the current challenges that our world faces, we need leaders who can serve as
Uniters more than ever," he said.
 
Junior inductees included Nolan Cotlier, Michael Ferneini, Alexander Lee, Geraldi Nie, Jada Potter, Sophie Schonberger, Bailey Smoko, Marlon Ward, and Kate Xie. Sophomores included Bhavana Etikela, Isabella Ferneini, Emily Kogut, Kamini Purushothaman, and Charles Wortman. Administrator Janet Izzo was also inducted.