WVHS holds 2026 National Tech Honor Society induction and CTE recognition ceremony

Warwick Valley High School held its Career & Technical Education (CTE) Recognition Ceremony and National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) Induction on June 8. District administration, CTE faculty, students and their families gathered in the high school auditorium for the event, which also included recognition of students’ CTE and SkillsUSA achievements.

The evening began with the NTHS portion of the event. Following opening remarks by WVHS associate principal Nick Emanuele, the traditional NTHS Candle Lighting Ceremony was led by current NTHS members Sofia Hafeez, Saorise Traziano, Kailyn Hansen, Samantha Diltz and William Boller.

_{See a gallery from the joint ceremony below this story.}

After the 29 inductees recited the NTHS pledge, seniors were presented with NTHS stoles to wear at graduation. WVHS Principal Dr. Georgianna Diopoulos ended the NTHS portion by with words of encouragement for the NTHS students.

Inductees consistently demonstrate a proven record of outstanding leadership, scholarship, skills, honesty, citizenship, service, and responsibility, and have maintained an average of 90 or better within the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, and an overall average of 85 or better.

CTE students were also recognized for their course completions, which included passing a National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) exam, and for participating in SkillsUSA competitions.

Irene Benincasa was the guest speaker for The CTE Achievement Recognition.  She is a cosmetology industry leader who owns her own business and frequently visits WVHS to speak to our CTE students and to give hands-on demonstrations.

The CTE students, Ms. Benincasa said, inspired her and reminded her of the passion behind all of the work.

Sienna Liggio from the criminal justice program was the student speaker. She was selected based on her academic achievement, leadership and service. Sienna was captain of Warwick's gold medal SkillsUSA New York team and was also the lead attorney on Warwick's Mock Trial team.

2026 NTHS Inductees

COSMETOLOGY

• Eliza Barnett
• Chloe Dosogne
• Michelle Frackiewicz*
• Celia Greco
• Natalia Griffith-Alvarez
• Kelsy Larney
• Ariana Mann
• Caylin McDonnell
• Crystal Montalvo
• Leana Muniz
• Antonina Normandia
• Juliet Novak
• Stephanie Pickering
• June Posthumus
• Talia Sauro
• Madison Scotto *
• Gabriella Tuck

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

• Olivia Cupo
• Luke Fowler
• Grace Hewitt *
• Sienna Liggio *
• Ava Piccirillo
• Nina Rametta

VIDEO PRODUCTION

• Josiah Jeudy *
• Jack Keenan
• Landon Komorsky
• Ryan Pesta
• Lia Salmon
• Violet Tinnirello

*Denotes Senior Class of 2026

Senior Recognition Ceremony Awardees

COSMETOLOGY

• Salemah Brown
• Jillian Daubert
• Madison Fox
• Michelle Frackiewicz
• Lily Hennessey-Coyle
• Autumn Ladka
• Kellie Lassiter
• Sophia Ledesma
• Emma Miller
• Allison Ortiz
• Carly Romig
• Madison Scotto
• Aubrey Serrano
• Alyssa Simonetta
• Marieliza Tapia
• Camryn Terry
• Amanda Torres
• Saorise Trazino

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

• Christoper DeGroat II
• Sofia Hafeez
• Kailyn Hansen
• Grace Hewitt
• Sienna Liggio
• Evan Moore
• Acadia Sealy
• Zachary Vega
• Gabriella Wenz

VIDEO PRODUCTION

• Ryan Barnable
• William Boller
• Elijah Caric
• Samantha Diltz
• Brett Roberson
• Josiah Jeudy

SkillsUSA Recognition Ceremony Awardees

COSMETOLOGY

• Salemah Brown
• Zoe Corn
• Michelle Frackiewicz
• Lily Hennessey-Coyle
• Kellie Lassiter
• Antonina Normandia
• Stephanie Pickering
• Aubrey Serrano
• Amanda Torres

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

• Christopher DeGroat II
• Luke Fowler
• Sofia Hafeez
• Grace Hewitt
• Sienna Liggio
• Ava Piccirillo
• Nina Rametta
• Daniel Silva
• Zachary Vega

VIDEO PRODUCTION

• William Boller
• Elijah Caric
• Samantha Diltz
• Jack Keenan
• Ryan Pesta
• Lia Salmon
• Violet Tinnirello
• Nya Whight-Webb

ENGINEERING

• Steven Lewis Jr.
• Casey Smith

CYBER SECURITY

• Alexander Xin

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WVHS students attending Orange-Ulster BOCES CTE programs were also honored at a separate induction and cord ceremony on June 3.

NTHS Inductees

ANIMAL SCIENCE

• Rebecca D'Ambrosio
• Abigail Dietrich
• Jasmine Lorentzen*
• Emily Rogers *
• Shea Smith

PRINCIPLES OF HEALTH

• Ryan Helman

HVAC/PLUMBING

• Hayden McCaskey * 

FIRE SCIENCE

• Gwen Neziri

*Denotes Senior Class of 2026

Senior Cord Ceremony honorees

CARPENTRY

• Kasandra Lashuay

ALLIED HEALTH ASSISTANT

• Maya Neil