Whiz Kid: Movita Harrigan

Movita Harrigan broke ground for herself and fellow METCO students with her induction to the National Honor Society last week.

Movita is the first METCO student at to become an Honor Society member, said Tara Sisco, Swampscott's METCO director.

Students have come close, within a point, but Movita was the first to make it, the director said.

The 16-year-old was nervous as she and 28 students awaited their induction at the March 13, ceremony in the school auditorium.

She found herself thinking in Japanese as upperclassman William Ross was introducing her, including remarks about her love and affinity for language.

Movita has studied Spanish for five years, Chinese for three and Japanese for a year and a half — and she has a place in her mind for each language.

As William spoke, Movita's mind was turning over the word watashi.

It means I, as in I-I-I am nervous.

Later, during the reception in the lobby she stood with her proud mom and dad, Gareth and Heather Harrigan, her proud twin brother, Sydney, and Tara Sisco, who was also proud and happy.

"I'm kind of shocked," Movita said. "It's an honor. I've never been first (before)."

Swampscott Principal Layne Millington said he is happy for Movita.

She's the first of many more METCO students at the school who will become National Honor Society members, he said.

The METCO director said Movita is not just self-motivated but motivated to help others.

She has tutored students at Swampscott elementary schools and the middle school.

Not long ago, Tara needed someone to take care of a speaker's child when he spoke to METCO kids about the future. She knew she could depend on Movita.

"Anything I ask her to do, she will do it," the director said.

Movita, who lives with her family in Dorchester, has her sights set on college.

She wants to go to the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Boston to study nursing.

She wants to become an obstetrics nurse.