Three Huntington Seniors Named Scholar-Artists
 Sabina Schneider, Louis Contino and Mary-Liz O'Neill were named Long Island Arts Alliance Scholar-Artists..jpg)
The fine and performing arts programs at Huntington High School flexed their proverbial muscles with three individual award winners in this year's Long Island Arts Alliance's scholar-artists program.
Huntington seniors Mary-Liz O'Neill, Louis Contino and Sabina Schneider were recognized in the prestigious program. Ms. O'Neill is one of two Long Island Scholar-Artists for October. Her photo and profile will be featured in a special section of Newsday this month. Mr. Contino and Ms. Schneider earned Awards of Excellence.
"I am so pleased that the scholar artist awards committee recognized these three students," said Joan R. Fretz, district director of fine and performing arts. "Each of them is so advanced in the development of their talent. Their uniqueness shines through and I'm sure that is why they were selected."
Last year Huntington's Bo-Ashley Brindley (media arts), Maya Horton (visual arts) and Clare Tonks (dance) were among the 20 scholar-artists award recipients.
This marks the fourth year of the LI scholar artist program. Schools are limited to only one nomination in each of the five categories (music, visual arts, dance, theater and media arts), making Huntington's performance exceptional.
The Huntington trio will be among the honorees at a reception at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Long Island University – C.W. Post College. They are also invited to a formal luncheon with state Board of Regents member Roger Tilles, Long Island superintendents and art educators.
Scholar artist honorees are selected 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.
"Mary-Liz, Sabina and Louis are wonderful examples of what can happen when young people find a passion and are motivated to work hard at cultivating their talents," Ms. Fretz said. "They are wonderful models for us all."
As one of the top 20 scholar-artists on Long Island, Ms. O'Neill is in spectacular company. She is known as an extraordinary vocalist with a lengthy list of achievements. The teenager has engaged in extensive studies in Julliard's pre-college program and at the Academie International d'Ete de Nice in France during the past two summers. Earlier this year, Ms. O'Neill captured second place in the Classical Singer National High School Vocal Competition.
Mr. Contino earned his Award of Excellence in media arts and Ms. Schneider was recognized in the visual arts category for her outstanding work in fashion illustration.