Holmdel student: I was rejected from NHS because I back Trump

A Holmdel High School junior claims he was rejected from the National Honor Society because of his public backing of President Donald Trump, but the superintendent insists the school administration doesn't discriminate on the basis of political affiliation.

Boris Kizenko, 16, said in a radio interview this week with NJ 101.5's Bill Spadea that he was rejected from the National Honor Society because of conflicts he encountered with the school administration, including a dispute over his backing of Trump in social media.

Kizenko, the former class president, said he campaigned for reelection by making T-shirts that said "Make Holmdel Great Again," reminiscent of Trump's iconic campaign slogan. Kizenko lost the race.

The student said he also had a conflict with his class adviser, who rejected the idea to host a paintball fundraiser at the school. Kizenko told the radio station he asked the principal for a second opinion but was later reprimanded for the move.

Kizenko told Spadea he was rejected from the National Honor Society because the incidents showed he had what a school official called a "character issue."

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Superintendent Robert McGarry told the Asbury Park Press that state and federal laws prohibit him from disclosing a student's personal information, including grade-point-average and any conflicts with administrators.

McGarry said politics wouldn't be a factor in selecting National Honor Society members.

"I can confirm that political affiliation is not a consideration for National Honor Society acceptance and that no student would be denied admittance to NHS based on his/her political speech or political party affiliation," McGarry said.

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A handful of 11th and 12th graders are inducted into the National Honor Society each year. To be eligible, students must have at least a 3.66 GPA, show leadership skills and several hours of extracurricular activities and community service, according to the school website.

Applicants are also required to show they have a positive character: “The student should demonstrate an empathetic, compassionate, caring and kind behavior and attitude. The faculty council does recognize that students make mistakes. It is most important that full responsibility for their actions is assumed and a positive life-change is displayed as a result,” according to the website.

Kizenko said he has a 4.0 grade point average and several hours of community service under his belt. Still, his attempts at an appeal were unsuccessful. The school's National Honor Society chapter recently held its induction ceremony.

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Kizenko told Spadea he was reprimanded by the school administration while he was class president for posting a Trump quote on the class's Instagram account. The quote said, "If you're going to be thinking anything, you might as well think big."

Kizenko said Trump was one of several public figures whose inspirational quotes were shared on the Instagram page.

Administrators took down the post and took away the student's administrative privileges on the class's social media accounts, Kizenko said. He claims he appealed the administration's decision, which resulted in a "conduct report."

Kizenko did not immediately return phone calls and Facebook messages seeking comment.

On Twitter, he wrote, "to all my fellow students who have been discriminated against for their politics, you are not alone. Never forget that. It’s time to say enough is enough."

Attempts to find the class Instagram account were unsuccessful.

Steph Solis: @stephmsolis; 732-403-0074; ssolis@gannett.com