Norwich Tech swears in first students into National Technical Honor Society chapter

Matt Grahn, Norwich Bulletin
·2 min read

Fourteen Norwich Tech students were sworn in as members of the National Technical Honor Society at the induction ceremony Thursday, the first time in Norwich Tech’s history. The merit is based on trade skills instead of grades, Principal Don Concascia said.

“We have some kids that are stellar tradesmen and tradeswomen, but aren’t super in academics,” he said. “We wanted to celebrate those kids that are - that's the reason why we come here.”

The National Technical Honor Society is an educational non-profit organization that seeks to honor students and teachers in career and technical education and build connections between education and industry. There are over 100,000 active members in the organization, and over 1 million people have been in the organization since its founding in 1984, according to the organization’s website.

The first group of Norwich Tech students to join the National Technical Honor Society, joined by HVAC Instructor Kristoffer Wagner and Assistant Principal Donna Goyette.
The first group of Norwich Tech students to join the National Technical Honor Society, joined by HVAC Instructor Kristoffer Wagner and Assistant Principal Donna Goyette.

Only four chapters in CT

While there are 17 schools in the Connecticut Technical Career and Education System, only three others have chapters in the National Technical Honor Society: Bristol Tech, E.C. Goodwin Tech in New Britain, and H.C. Wilcox Tech in Meriden.

Other tech schools should consider creating their own chapters, Assistant Principal Donna Goyette, who organized the chapter with HVAC Instructor Kristoffer Wagner, said.

“This is a population of students who chose to come to us for their technical education, so I feel its our obligation to acknowledge them for their work,” she said.

The Norwich Tech ceremony included the swearing in of the student officers of the Norwich Tech chapter, a ceremonial candle lighting, students walking across the stage to receive their NTHS certificate, and swearing an oath to the NTHS.

Grace Fuchs (holding certificate) is one of 14 Norwich Tech students to join the National Technical Honor Society on Thursday.
Grace Fuchs (holding certificate) is one of 14 Norwich Tech students to join the National Technical Honor Society on Thursday.

The full list of recognized students is:

  • Kylee Andreoli, Culinary Arts

  • Hannah Armstead, Electrical

  • Sydney Brown, Biotechnology

  • Nikolas Bychowsky, Plumbing and Hearing

  • Morgan Cook, Biotechnology

  • Grace Fuchs, Biotechnology

  • Angel Garcia, Graphics Design and Digital Media

  • Logan Hanson, Electrical

  • Seth Howe, Culinary Arts

  • Alyssa Mikolajczak, Health Technology

  • Jesus Palomino, Graphics Design and Digital Media

  • Katrina Rapits, Culinary Arts

  • Elijah Smith, Biotechnology

  • Aurora Talbot, Graphics Design and Digital Media

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Norwich Tech swears in 14 students to National Technical Honor Society