Huntington Art Honor Society
Ranks Swell
A large group of talented young artists was inducted into Huntington High School’s Art Honor Society during a recent ceremony held in the school cafeteria. The new class swells membership in the organization to 66.
The induction festivities included the traditional lighting of candles and knighting of new members. “Each one of our inductees has had to go through a series of challenges in order to become a full-fledged member,” said Kasmira Mohanty, a Huntington art teacher and the society’s faculty advisor. “I commend you all on your follow-through, participation, ideas and enthusiasm.”
The new members include James Alleyne, Krista Angeliadis, Emily Biblow, Nora Buchholtz, Elizabeth Corrao, Samantha Carroll, Ying-Ting Chung, Kaitlin Dayton, Tommy Dayton, Alyssa DeVoe, Brianna Echevarria, Aaron Feltman, Christina Flores, Wendy Garcia, Samantha Glicker, Ryan Goldsmith, Kathryn Hajny, Ekaterina Koulakova, Jamie LaSorsa, Charlotte Levinson, Hannah Maiorello, Jackie Marquez, Ripley Mars, Justin Martinolich, Shannon McGovern, Elisa Medina-Jaudes, Justin Meyer, Hanna Murphy, Jamie Paragallo, Kiara Roman, Emily Sager, Mary Sheehan, Marina Siegel, Kim Smith, Cara Sorrentino, Marygrace Trousdell, Meelod Wafajow and Lana Ziegler.
Society officers Julianna Barca (president), Angelica Tome Radigan (vice president), Anna Goldenbaum (secretary), Hillary Hardardt (treasurer) and Zachary Burden (historian) played various roles in the induction. Sarah Gill, the district’s director of fine and performing arts, also spoke at the induction.
In addition to the organization’s officers, the society’s continuing members include Alyson Baker, Charles Beers, Kira Bergman, Megan Boyce, Leah Butz, Bianca Cadet, Anna DiNardi, Jane Donovan, Samantha Guzman, Caitlin Knowles, Jillian Lentinello, Emily Maggio, Sarah Mosden, Michael Nemaric, Ben Nikodem, Joe Saginaw, Emily Saltman, Xiomara Scarpati, Kara Talve, Anna Tesoriero, Sara Totura, Kristen Walsh and Jason Yanes.
“Because of all of your hard work, we will be able to continue the Huntington High School beautification project for the third year, adding three new pieces to our halls this spring,” Ms. Mohanty told the members.
The society has also been able to continue its participation in the internationally acclaimed Memory Project, which included children in Nepal this year. The initiative involves art students creating portraits in the form of drawings, paintings, digital art, etc. for children and teens around the world that have been neglected, orphaned or disadvantaged. The organization also provided artwork and financial support to the high school PTSA and its anti-bullying campaign.
The evening included enjoyable performances by five talented strings musicians, including Christian Jamison, Ashley Melgar, Holly Grabowski, Sara Totura and Ben Nikodem.
“Too many people are losing sight of the importance of art in all its forms,” Ms. Mohanty told the crowd. “We are forgetting how it impacts our lives beyond simple pleasure. Artwork feeds our souls and helps us to navigate our day. When you brush your teeth in the morning, realize someone designed that. When you use your favorite app; someone illustrated that. Art can communicate ideas that words fail to express. Art is being used to heal body and mind from wounded soldiers to patients recovering more quickly from surgery simply by viewing art in a gallery that some hospitals are beginning to provide as part of their patient’s treatment.”