Some of the most remarkably creative teenagers were recognized during Huntington High School’s senior academic awards ceremony last month. A group of eight sensational young people were presented with art awards in honor of their imaginative and visionary work.
Huntington High School art teacher Kim Valerio presented her department’s awards, speaking about each of the recipient as they stood alongside her.
Aaron Feltman and Ekaterina Koulakova received this year’s Art Honor Society Award. The teenagers were presented with stipends of $250 each.
President of the Art Honor Society and the French Honor Society, Mr. Feltman is headed to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. He played a leading role in the production of the 2016 high school yearbook, designing the front and back covers, among many other contributions to the volume. A Viewer’s Choice Award recipient, the teenager was also named one of Long Island’s Best Young Artists.
Mr. Koulakova will be attending Binghamton University where she plans to study political science. She earned varsity letters with the Blue Devil cross country and track and field teams. A Long Island Scholar Artist Award recipient, the teenager said the support of “motivational friends” have contributed to her success.
Outstanding Achievement in Visual Arts Awards along with $150 stipends were presented to Esmeralda Hernandez (ceramics and sculpture), Justin Meyer (computer graphics), Elisa Medina-Jaudes (drawing and painting), Stephanie Powers (fashion design), Jean Miller (photography) and Samuel Weitzner (video).
Ms. Hernandez will be attending SUNY Maritime College after a wonderful four year run at Huntington High School. She developed many close relationships with her classmates and teachers and produced many breathtaking works of art.
Mr. Meyer intends to study industrial design at the University of Cincinnati. Recognized as a National Scholar, the teenager participated in Project Memory with the Art Honor Society. It’s a unique initiative that 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.
Ms. Medina-Jaudes is headed to Cornell University to study architecture. Inducted into seven separate academic honor societies and an officer in three of them, she also won five varsity letters with the Blue Devil fencing team. She’s a superb musician as well as being one of Huntington’s top artists.
Ms. Powers plans to study costume design/technology at Rutgers University. An active participant in the Key Club, Habitat for Humanity and Tri-M Honor Society, the teenager earned a Blue Ribbon Award of Excellence at the district art show for her exceptional fashion designs.
Ms. Miller is one of the top young photographers on Long Island. She is headed for Suffolk County Community College. The teenager won first place in the “open” category and overall Best in Show at the Huntington Camera Club’s 2016 high school photography contest.
Mr. Weitzner will be attending Montgomery County Community College. He hopes to pursue a career in law enforcement. He’s been a superb young filmmaker, winning his share of awards and he interned with video arts teacher Heather Swan as a senior.
The eight remarkable young men and women posed for photos with Ms. Valerio and accepted the applause of their classmates, family members and school officials.
