Huntington Duo Captures Otto Kahn Awards
June 20, 2023
Huntington High School seniors Katerina Damiano and Victoria Befumo have captured coveted Otto Kahn Awards, which are presented annually to an elite group of fine and performing artists by Friends of OHEKA. The award carries with it a $3,000 stipend.
Friends of OHEKA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection, preservation and public awareness of OHEKA Castle. This year’s awards were presented at a Great Gatsby themed garden party at OHEKA Castle.
Ms. Befumo will be attending Temple University in Philadelphia. Ms. Damiano is headed to Purchase College in Westchester.
The Otto Kahn Awards are presented to a select group of seniors who intend to pursue education and training in the fine and performing arts and who show exceptional potential. A financier, Mr. Kahn was also a patron of the arts, well-known for his support of struggling artists in the early 1900s.
Seniors who are slated to attend college in the fall and will major in performing arts, visual arts, or music are invited annually to apply for the Otto Kahn Award. Ms. Befumo (photography) and Ms. Damiano (filmmaking) were both recognized for their spectacular work as visual artists.
The Huntington duo was among a remarkable group of eight seniors honored at this year’s garden party, which included hors d’oeuvres, buffet dinner, dessert and entertainment. The pair’s work was on display for party-goers.
“Victoria has worked really hard and this award is very well deserved,” Huntington photography teacher Pamela Piffard said. “She is an outstanding artist and person and I am so proud of her.”
Ms. Befumo said she was “thrilled” to win this scholarship. The generous gift will make it so that she does not have to work in her freshman year of college.
“I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with such a supremely talented student for the past four years,” Huntington video arts teacher Heather Swan said. “Katerina is an exceptional storyteller; from her ability to write captivating and humorous scripts, to directing her actors, film with interesting lighting, camera angles and editing. Katerina has been a force to be reckoned with in Huntington High School’s video program and at film festivals around the country. I wish her continued success in the Purchase College film program and I am confident that she will continue to produce incredible films in the future.”
Friends of OHEKA has awarded nearly $200,000 for its Otto Kahn Awards program since 2003. “Throughout his lifetime, Otto Kahn gave generously to support the arts in America, especially those who were struggling and needed financial assistance. Mr. Kahn also served as chairman of the Metropolitan Opera from 1911 until 1918 and its president until 1931, giving millions to insure its survival. “In memory of Otto Kahn and in recognition of his generosity toward struggling artists during the early 20th century, we have established the Otto Kahn Awards,” according to the organization.
