On November 19, 2024, 82 students were inducted into Rho Kappa, SWHS’ Social Studies Honors Society. Members of Rho Kappa must have a 3.5 GPA and excellence in their previous social studies classes. Once inducted, they must complete fifteen hours of service or scholarship in order to earn credit and an honor cord.
The ceremony consisted of four speakers, a candle lighting ceremony and an oath.
“The meaning of Rho Kappa is to stimulate a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of all the academic disciplines comprising the social studies curriculum,” advisor for Rho Kappa, Mr. Jay Garish explained during his speech at the event.
Alongside Principal Mr. Joseph Leroy and the advisors, Jay Garish and Erin Simcik, Social Studies Curriculum Specialist Mr. Frank Rizzuto and Social Studies Consultant for the State Department of Education Mr. Steve Armstrong, the Social Studies Consultant for the Connecticut State Department of Education, joined in the ceremony and gave a few remarks to inspire.
“History is a magnificent, magnificent thing to study,” Armstrong said.
After Armstrong was finished speaking to the new inductees, Garrish brushed upon how the name Rho Kappa is derived from the Greek alphabet where these letters were chosen to represent the letters of the phrase “excellence in purity”. Garrish stated that the purpose of the society is, “to honor excellence in the Social Studies.”
Shortly after Garrish finished speaking, the candle lighting ceremony began. This ceremony helped symbolize the four pillars that the society holds. The four pillars are truth, knowledge, wisdom and service.
These candles were introduced by student speakers who each gave a quote by a famous individual on what each of the candles represented and explained what each colored candle represented as well. The white candle represents truth. The green candle represents knowledge. The gold candle represents wisdom. Lastly, the blue candle represents service. The induction continued with Simcik reading the oath.
After new members read the oath, they officially became members of Rho Kappa and were invited by Simcik to collect their certificates of induction.
Regarding the purpose of an induction ceremony for the newest Rho Kappa members, Simcik told The Prowl, “It’s [Rho Kappa’s] mission is to recognize and honor those students who both excel and love the social studies.”
With the induction ceremony over, full-fledged members of Rho Kappa can now begin their service hours and help make the South Windsor community a better place.
