No one in the audience at Drury High School raised their hands.

 

"Yeah, I believe it," Callahan said, then directed the question to the most academically successful Drury seniors and juniors.

 

The 30 seniors and 37 juniors all raised their hands twice — first to acknowledge they spent at least one Saturday, and then again to acknowledge they've done so more than once.

 

"That's what we're talking about," Callahan said, as he was cut off by the loud, 10-second applause from parents and friends that filled the school auditorium. "These students have gone above and beyond. We have expected a lot from them, and they have stepped up to the challenge."

 

First, the eight Pro Merito high honor students, who maintained a 90 average or above during the past 3.5 school years were awarded their gold stoles, which they will wear during graduation. Then, all the seniors received their gold tassels and award certificates. To achieve Pro Merito honors status, a student needed to maintain above an 85 average.

Above, a senior is awarded her gold stole by Nu Sigma Vice President Emma Arabia. Below, Pro Merito Cameron Parrino shakes hands with a Nu Sigma member.

After a performance by the Drury jazz band, the Nu Sigma candidates were awarded candles from Pro Merito members.

Pro Merito President Michael Schmidt Jr. explained candles  were given at the first banquet in 1917 "to symbolize the torch of scholarship in which are given merit to recognize the brothership of the honor society."

Nu Sigma junior honors was established in 1927. To qualify for Nu Sigma, students must achieve at least an 85 average during their first 2.5 school years.

 

Pro Merito - Class of 2013 (Italics indicates high honors.)

 

Samantha Andrews, Jaclyn Aubin, William Blay, Abigal Bolner, Stephen Bolognani, Alex Boulger, Kodey Bryce, Alex Bush, Chelsea DeGroff, Maeve Denning, Jacob DiLego, Emily Eastman, Ryan Edmonds, Skyler Elliott, Shannon Garvey, Levi Grant, Emma Gregory, Jacob Groves, Katherine Hancock, Molly Howe, Carlee Huttle, Kayla Johnson, Laryssa LaPointe, Maria Netti, Ryan Ouimet, Cameron Parrino, Danielle Racette, Amanda Ramsdell, Michael Schmidt Jr., Ali Tatro

 

Nu Sigma - Class of 2014

 

Emma Arabia, Alexis Bedini, Kayla Bobbitt, Leah Bohl, Jacob Boillat, Bethany Brayman, Tia Brown, Alison Cellana, Kaitlin Cirullo, Hannah Collier, Tyler Cote, Allison DeGrenier, Aubrey Garner, Cori Ghidotti, Ashley Hebel, Evan Johnson, Stephan LaForest, Morgan Lamarre, Joseph Liporace, Alyssa Marceau, Maria Mazzu, Allison Meehan, Morgan Michaels, Emily Moulton, Alyssa Neff, Kami Norcross, Megan Peters, Catherine Record, Ashley Scrivens, Breanna Simard, Marlee Suters, Alison Tassone, Matthew Vachereau, Jordan Vanumi, Michaella Vecchiarelli, Stephin Wallace, Kasha Wissman