Anna DiNardi Wins LIAA Award of Merit
Anna DiNardi’s artwork is sensational and the Huntington High School senior is getting the recognition that proves it. The teenager has earned the Long Island Arts Alliance’s Award of Merit. She’s one of just 20 recipients among all Nassau and Suffolk students this school year.
Huntington art teacher Kristin Singer and Ms. DiNardi have developed a tight professional relationship. The veteran faculty member has nurtured the teenager, who has grown as an artist and produced thought provoking work.
Ms. DiNardi was surprised and filled with pride when she learned the LI Arts Alliance had selected her for its Award of Merit. “When I got the letter in the mail I was thrilled because I knew how reputable of an award it is,” the senior said. “Mrs. Singer has been my art teacher since freshman year and I have gotten very close to her throughout high school. She is not only immensely supportive as a teacher, but also remarkably patient and intelligent as a mentor.”
“The Long Island Arts Alliance is known for recognizing and honoring the most skilled and accomplished student-artists in Nassau and Suffolk each year,” Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky said. “Anna has obviously cultivated her talents and interests throughout her years in Huntington and has reached an extraordinarily high level of achievement. We wish her well as she completes her senior year and continues her studies in post-secondary academia.”
The Long Island Arts Alliance selects scholar artists on the basis of a formal application and presentation of their art, their grade point average and letters of recommendation attesting to their dedication to a particular type of art. Ms. DiNardi and her fellow top artists will be formally recognized at a reception for family, friends and teachers at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of LIU Post in Brookville.
“I have been involved in art for as long as I can remember,” Ms. DiNardi said. “My grandmother is an amazing artist and she has inspired me to continue with art; developing my once hobby into what I hope will someday be incorporated into my future career.”
Ms. DiNardi’s academic course schedule includes AP Literature, AP Government, AP Microeconomics, AP Physics, Honors Pre-Calculus, Honors Spanish and Portfolio Development.
The teenager transferred to the Huntington School District from a private school as a seventh grader. Ms. DiNardi has compiled a fine academic record and completed a wide variety of courses, which have provided her with a well-rounded education.
“I excel in Spanish and it has continuously been one of my favorite courses each year,” Ms. DiNardi said. “I have grown very close to Mrs. [Jessica Medina] Mammone and she is always willing to help me with anything. All of the English courses that I have taken have also been favorites of mine. Both Mrs. [Aimee] Antorino and Ms. [Victoria] Lombardi have guided me towards success, and I have learned a lot from each of them.”
Ms. DiNardi is carefully considering her future options. “I am unsure of where I want to attend college, be it Boston or maybe Michigan, though I do know that I want to pursue the fine arts in combination with business and law,” she said.