Congratulations to the Padua Franciscan High School students inducted into the St. Bonaventure Chapter of the National Honor Society on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
Each year, students are selected for induction based on consistently displayed excellence in NHS’s four pillars: academics, leadership, character and service. While each Padua student does 20 hours of service every year, NHS students do 12 additional hours of service work per year.
Following the invocation from Deacon Tom Litwinowicz, NHS President Brayden Mordarski ‘26 delivered a powerful message to the newest honorees about how National Honor Society’s four pillars are similar to how four posts hold up the roof of a building.
“The National Honor Society isn’t just a pretty building for us to look at,” Mordarski said. “No, it’s the culmination of each of its members’ actions. It is an organization built upon four ideals with a mission to bring people together to do more in the world. These people are called to take the messages from each pillar and expound upon them through their actions.
“It’s pretty cool to be seen and recognized, but being a member of the National Honor Society is more than that. It’s a call to action. You’re called to spend time and live by the four pillars. So now, I’d like to personally call you all to the NHS mission. Take advantage of your service opportunities, enjoy every moment. Whether that be helping at CFO or tutoring peers, the opportunities are endless. Try to help in any way you can.
“You’re all scholars, so keep looking to gain more knowledge, challenge yourself in the classroom, continue being amazing, respecting each and every one you meet. But above all, remember to be leaders. Be the example for others to follow. Encourage others to join in with you and the NHS mission, and always remember, have fun doing whatever you do. Be proud of what you’ve accomplished and strive to do more.”
Then, Mr. Joe Eiben ‘06, the 2025 recipient of the St. Anthony Award for Teaching Excellence, gave the keynote address.
In speaking to the attendees, Eiben mentioned his own life journey, which includes his role at Padua as an American Government teacher. In typical fashion, Eiben injected humor into his speech by beginning saying “there’s a lot of people here,” and shouting out the cafeteria staff for Hot Italian Sub Day. However, he delivered poignant moments, too, where he encouraged everyone to keep life in perspective and put good into the world.
“I want to ask you again, what are you going to do with your power?” Eiben said. “And I don’t mean something big, dramatic, earth-shaking, textbook-making. I mean the small stuff. The way you talk to people, the way you show up in class, the way you treat someone when nobody else is watching, because that’s actually where your powers live.
“It’s choosing to include someone more than ignoring them. It’s sending that text saying, ‘Hey, are you good?’ and actually meaning it. It’s not piling on when someone else is having a bad day or dumping your drama onto them as well.
“It’s deciding to be the reason why someone doesn’t dread coming to the school. You don’t need a platform. You don’t need a title. You don’t even need to go viral. You just need to decide, ‘What kind of person am I going to be today?’ Every single day, whether you realize it or not, you’re making the world a little bit darker or a little bit lighter, based on your perspective, and the crazy part of this, it’s all small choices you’re making.”
Following the induction, Principal Bob DiRocco spoke directly to the students in the Class of 2027. He encouraged them to become leaders, not only in the Padua community, but also in the world. The event concluded with a Benediction from Padua Chaplain Friar Johnpaul Cafiero, OFM, and procession out of the gymnasium.
Congratulations to the following students who are the newest members of the St. Bonaventure Chapter of NHS:
- Emma Becerra
- Kate Becker
- Ruby Bentkowski
- Paige Bethany
- Angela Blazejewski
- Averie Bodamer
- Emerson Bodamer
- Jack Boswell
- Mackenzie Brown
- Nathan Carlson
- Melanie Cesa
- Sarah Cigany
- Smilla Cohagan
- Halle Crandall
- Natalie Dagostino
- Jonathan Dorsey
- Gregory Dudick
- Kaylee Egnaczyk
- Marolina Eldeeb
- Artem Fedoriouk
- Ella Figliano
- Logan Flowers
- Riley Flowers
- Olivia Frazier
- Lorice George
- Abigail Gillette
- Sloane Hare
- Emily Hines
- Colin Jankowski
- Gretchen Jordan
- Grayson Knight
- Madelyn Kocmit
- Akshay Kondapuram
- Ruby Krasowski
- Allison Krayzel
- Riley Kruzer
- John LoFaso
- Patrick Loftus
- Gabriella Marchak
- Michael McCarthy
- Tyler McClelland
- Rylee McKelvey
- Juliana Merimee
- Maxwell Merold
- Iyana Montemurro
- Kyle Mosha
- Chloe Mouzaya
- Daniel Napora
- Jacob Obloj
- Riley O’Brien
- Amanda Ocilka
- Kortland Pack
- Leah Panteck
- Louis Papile
- Callie Paxton
- Lucas Pickel
- Marie Ranker
- Liam Ray
- Michael Reis
- Maria Rodriguez
- Nicolas Rodriguez
- Alivia Roschival
- Victoria Sanders
- Addalyn Schmidt
- Peyton Scott
- Maria Shrefler
- Nathan Solderitsch
- Bryden Spellacy
- Maya Stavnicky
- Madison Stawicki
- Jacob Stepanski
- Andrew Suarez
- Megan Svec
- Audrey Szwec
- Audrey Takacs
- Annabelle Thiry
- Jacquelyn Tymkewicz
- Kacee Waggoner
- Alexis Wentz
- Elizabeth Wirtz
- Winnie Zhang
- Landon Zwiener
