HFCS Philip Leonard Chapter of the National Honor Society

HOOSICK FALLS - The Hoosick Falls Central School (HFCS) National Honor Society (NHS), recently held its annual Induction Ceremony. Sixteen new members were inducted, bringing the total student membership to thirty-five. The NHS is open to students in grades 11-12, who meet specific eligibility requirements set by their school’s chapter. Students must have a certain GPA, must complete an interview process, and are evaluated based on their commitment and demonstration of the ‘Four Pillars’: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character. 

HFCS’s NHS Chapter is known as the Philip Leonard Chapter. As many in the community are aware, Mr. Leonard recently passed away. He is known within the halls of HFCS as “the man who built the school”. His investment in the school and community of Hoosick Falls is the perfect example of what it means to uphold the Four Pillars of the NHS, as he was a true champion in the community.

Mr. Leonard graduated from SUNY Albany in 1947, with a degree in education, and then earned a Master’s Degree in administration and guidance a year later. He started as a math and science teacher in Granville, NY, and then was called to action in the Army during the Korean War. Upon returning stateside, Mr. Leonard worked as a teacher once again, before moving to Hoosick Falls in 1957. According to Joyce Brewer, of the Hoosick Township Historical Society, Mr. Leonard was hired by the State of New York to create a central school for the town, to replace the 14 one-room schoolhouses that were being used at the time. He took the lead, found the property, oversaw the construction process, and served as the principal and guidance counselor once the school was constructed. By 1965, he became the superintendent and held that role until he retired in 1981.

Mr. Leonard’s time with the District saw new technology developments in the classrooms, expansion of art programs like drama and music, and set the stage for a strong athletics program. Bill Gaillard, who taught music at HFCS for over 30 years, many of those years while Mr. Leonard was the superintendent, stated that he was “easy to work with… ran a unique economic ship… and kept the interests of everyone in mind where the budget was concerned”.

Even in his retirement, Mr. Leonard continued to work to better the community. He helped to fundraise for the town’s swimming pool and skating rink, and was instrumental in the acquisition of the home that the Louis Miller Museum is now located in, where he generously offered many volunteer hours. Mrs. Brewer reminisced fondly about Mr. Leonard’s knowledge of local history, and shared that she believes that as someone who wasn’t originally from Hoosick Falls, he epitomized what it truly means to have a love for your community, and that he will be sorely missed.

Please join the HFCS District in honoring Mr. Leonard’s commitment to education and our community, and congratulating the HFCS students that are members of our Philip Leonard Chapter of the NHS. Current Members: Kennedy Arnold, Aidan Bull, Isabella Caron, Ava Case (Historian), Jessie-Mae Casey, Mea Cleary, Lila Coon, Sadie Cornell, Maddox Dorman (President), Ashley Druckenmiller, Samuel Fauler, Aiden Fleming (Vice President), Jessica Haynes (Treasurer), Lucy Haynes (Secretary), Kelsey Irish, Sophie Kelly, Brady Mann, Taylor Myers, Amelia Pello, Alexander Shea, and Cole Ziehm. New Members: David Allen, Rocco Arcodia, Dylan Callahan, Erin Conety, Ana Cottrell, Lizzy DaRosa, Karalina Hastings, Madison Haviland, Katy Howard, Isabella Marpe, Sdyne Niles, Paylyn Poore, Ava Salvesvold, and Emma Waugh.