Three HHS Seniors Honored at Tilles Center
The Long Island Arts Alliance honored Huntington High School seniors Francesca Gray and Molly Prep this past Sunday night, presenting each of the two teenagers with the group's Scholar-Artist Award during a gala held at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of LIU Post.
Ms. Gray and Ms. Prep were among 20 Long Island seniors selected for the honor out of more than 200 nominees from across Nassau and Suffolk counties. The Huntington duo was given plaques to commemorate their achievement along with stipends.
Ms. Gray was recognized in the visual arts category for her phenomenal drawing and painting while Ms. Prep, a talented photographer, was recognized for her work in the media arts. "The scholar-artist program mirrors the regions' scholar-athlete programs," according to the LIAA website. "High school seniors are nominated by their school districts and ten each from Nassau and Suffolk receive the program's highest honor."
"I was extremely honored to be nominated for this award, let alone to be chosen as a Scholar-Artist out of so many talented applicants," said Ms. Prep, who is salutatorian of Huntington's Class of 2013. "It's great to see artists of all different mediums being recognized. Creativity is a key component to life and it's wonderful that artists who have this quality are being celebrated."
"One word comes to mind when I think of Molly Prep; phenomenal," said Pamela Piffard, a Huntington photography teacher who has guided Ms. Prep. "Getting to know Molly over the past three years has been a privilege. She has such a big heart and she is so creative and hard working. She has allowed me to share my passion for photography while also sharing her hopes and fears for life in general. She embraces her own personal growth and is such a mature and grounded young woman always looking to be the best person she can be."
Francesca Gray Called "Passionate"
Ms. Gray has worked closely with art teacher Kristin Singer throughout high school and the two have grown close. "I am extremely proud of Frankie's recognition as a scholar artist," Mrs. Singer said. "The honor could have not been given to a more deserving student. Francesca is consistent, passionate, enthusiastic, cheerful and a pleasure to work with every single day. I have been fortunate to have Frankie enrolled in my classes for all four years of her high school career. Her graduation will surely be bittersweet, since one of the kindest and most dedicated students will be leaving our school. I am happy Frankie will face new challenges in college that will push her creative thought further and am especially eager to see what Frankie's future holds for her."
"Molly and Francesca have shined brightly in the classroom, as well as in the arts," Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky said. "Both are well deserving of the award, as they are fine representatives of the Huntington and greater Long Island communities. Their commitment to their studies and to pursuing their interests should serve as a model for all."
Collin Richardson Honored
Huntington senior Collin Richardson was also honored, earning the LIAA's Award of Merit for his talent as a musician as well as his sterling academic record. Mr. Richardson was one of 20 Long Island seniors to receive the Award of Merit.
Sponsored by the New York Community Bank Foundation, the LIAA Scholar-Artist Award program "is designed to acknowledge and celebrate high quality arts education in our schools," said Roger Tilles, a member of the New York State Board of Regents. "LIAA launched this program in collaboration with Newsday, which dedicates a half-page profile to two of our scholar-artists each month throughout the school year."
"It was such a pleasure to attend the Long Island Scholar-Artist awards with Molly and her family," Ms. Piffard said. "Last year when we were deciding who to nominate from our school district Molly instantly came to mind. She not only meets all the requirements but she also had the drive and determination to complete the required work for the application. Molly worked so hard to complete all the work and wrote such a beautiful essay that it was no surprise to me that she was one of the few chosen for the Scholar-Artist Award."
Following the awards presentation, a reception was held in the Tilles Center Atrium for the honorees, their family members and teachers and arts administrators were turned out for the gala.