The Sr. Mary Ellen Bernard Chapter of the National English Honor Society of Preston High School welcomed 16 new members into the organization at an induction ceremony on January 12th. This chapter was the first of its kind in the Bronx when it was formed four years ago and is one of only 25 chapters in the state of New York.
The chapter, which was formed in the 2005-2006 academic year, is named for one of Preston’s most esteemed educators, Sr. Mary Ellen Bernard, RDC. For more than 60 years, Sr. Mary Ellen Bernard, of the Sisters of Divine Compassion, has served Bronx and Westchester students through her love of literature and grammar. Bernard, who was named the chapter’s first honorary member, taught at Good Counsel Academy in White Plains, N.Y. before she joined the PHS English Department in 1970. Bernard also served as the PHS English Department chairperson from 1985-1999 and she still works at Preston in the Attendance Office. While students are chosen as part of the society based on their previous grades, they must also uphold this aver-age to maintain their positions within the society. They must also demonstrate leadership and character. English teacher and Chapter Advisor, Kristin Muller, helped to organize the induction ceremony where the following students were inducted into the Sr. Mary Ellen Bernard Chapter of the National English Honor Society:
Class of 2010: Melissa Balais, Amanda Conti, Diane Gonzalez, Christina Linehan, and Courtney Mahon; Class of 2011: Sara Archer-Days, Jenna Bagcal, Anne Byrne, Stephanie Diaz, Caresse Howell, Maura Linehan, and Shantal Taveras; and Class of 2012: Sofia Ahsanuddin, Deanna Ibrahim, Cassidy Liz, and Elizabeth Roche.
