WHS Student's Induction to National Honors Society Marks High Achievment

On the night of Thursday, April 26, dozens of students gathered in the school's auditorium to be inducted into the National Honor Society. 

"We had many, many kids who were recognized," said Westwood High School Principal Sean Bevan. "It went off without a hitch. There was not a single complaint. It was a very celebratory evening. It was a very big group this year, which was a surprise, because this junior class is a very strong junior class. And there's lots of really good contributors in the school. It was a very special moment. It speaks to the fact that we do look at this as being a big moment for all our kids who get in."

A special addition to this year's ceremony was the induction of one student, Cyrus Sethna, a junior at WHS.

Sethna, 19, who has a cognitive learning disability, received an honorable induction for achieving a 3.9 Grade Point Average. 

"Cyrus's accomplishment was an honorary one," Bevan said. "He's just a terrific citizen of the school. He's a very pleasant kid to have in the general school population. In the smaller community, he's regarded as a really good example for other students to follow."

Sethna has taken regular courses at Westwood High School, as well as being apart of the school's inclusionary program, and his GPA is based on actual grades through a modified learning experience. 

In addition to his GPA accomplishment, Cyrus also put effort into a number of community service hours at , working with Rev. Stephen Linehan as an usher and greeter.

"He's a great kid," Linehan said. "It's building a good sense of community with [other volunteers]. He's also helped with some of the special events that we have. He's just a real nice kid."

Cyrus's twin brother, Reggie, is currently a senior at Westwood High School, and is about to graduate, with plans to attend at Massasoit Community College in the fall. 

The brothers were adopted when they were only 2 years old, and at that time it was believed Cyrus wouldn't walk or even talk. However, his recent accomplishment has proven that he's come a long way since then, said their mother, Mary Sethna. 

Cyrus was also recognized by State Rep. Paul McMurtry (D-Dedham) the night of the National Honor Society induction, and even received commendations from U.S. Sen. John Kerry and House Speaker Robert DeLeo.

"It was a lovely ceremony," said Mary Sethna. "Westwood High couldn't have been more accommodating, and the Department of Student Services, and the director, they were just beaming as much as we were. Cyrus never ceases to amaze us." 

And for his part, Cyrus said he was overjoyed by the experience. 

"It was the best time I've ever had," he said.