Angels Take National Art Honor Society’s Oath of Allegiance

Twenty-four of the Academy of the Holy Angels’ best fine artists were inducted into the National Art Honor Society on April 3. These students were recognized for attaining the highest levels of achievement in art and academics. NAHS inductees also demonstrate good character and participate in service projects and art education at school and beyond.

NAHS Adviser Kathryn Biskup welcomed the new inductees, including Mariah Anderson and Sophia Chounoune of Englewood; Francesca Alliotts of Teaneck; Morgan Battaglia and Areni Chaglasian of Upper Saddle River; Grace Costanza of Clifton; Marguerite “Maggie” Danahy of Oradell; Isabella Fernandez of Tenafly; Haruka Fujihara and Scarlett Mazzola of Fort Lee; Lauren Gumban of Lodi; Tristan Fowler of Upper Nyack, New York; Alexis Jacob of Tappan, New York; Suzanna Odusote of North Haledon; Jiayi “Stella” Ouyang of Nanuet, New York; Olivia Papp of Hawthorne; Erin Pav of Westwood; Elise Pisciotti of Franklin Lakes; Gabriella Ragucci and Rachelle Wu of Harrington Park; Julianna Rosen of Dumont; Kyra Sapontzis of Park Ridge; Emma Spadora of Ridgewood; and Graicen Van Blarcom-DeLuise of Glen Rock.

Ms. Biskup noted that NAHS members enjoy eligibility for various scholarships, service and leadership opportunities, and a chance to gain Rising Star Secondary Recognition Program honors.

The NAHS pledge states: “I will, through my talents in art, help to create a more beautiful world for myself, for humankind, and for all living things. I will always seek to create, not destroy. I will dedicate myself to the helping and education of others through the practice of art. I will, to the best of my ability, uphold the highest level of conduct in my art, service, character, and academics.”

Those in the audience participated John Johansen-Berg’s prayer, which asks the Heavenly Artist to “bless the painters, sculptors, and composers whose creative gifts are a source of blessing for others.”

Biskup organized and led this year’s ceremony with aid from NAHS President Natalia González and Vice President Ava Goyal.

Natalia González , who is now in her senior year, has been studying art at AHA since she entered the ninth grade. She currently takes Advanced Placement Studio Art and Advanced Placement Art History. González has also pursued art programs at the Fashion Institute of Technology and at Marymount College. She submits her work to AHA’s literary magazine and newspaper, “Blueprint” and “AHA Voice,” respectively. González has earned three Honorable Mentions for the work she entered in the Scholastic Art & Writing Competition.

In her remarks to the new inductees, González noted that art can be therapeutic, as creating works of art helps her dispel negative thoughts, and allows viewers of her work to have their own feelings validated. She urged new NAHS members to continue to express themselves and explore the arts.

González has been accepted to several of the nation’s most renowned art schools, including School of Visual Arts, Massachusetts College of Art & Design, Maryland Institute College of Art, Rutgers University, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, The New School, and Pratt Institute. She said she may soon commit to study at Pratt.

Founded by the School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1879, the Academy of the Holy Angels is the oldest private girls’ school in Bergen County. While AHA is steeped in Catholic tradition, this prestigious school serves young women from a broad spectrum of cultural and religious backgrounds. The Academy’s current leaders continue to further the SSND mission to provide each student with the tools she needs to reach the fullness of her potential—spiritually, intellectually, socially, and physically, by offering a first-rate education in a nurturing environment where equal importance is placed on academic excellence, character development, moral integrity, and service to others.