O'Neill Vies for U.S. Presidential Arts Scholar Award
Mary-Liz O'Neill, a Huntington High School senior, has been named as one of 60 U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts candidates. The candidates were nominated from more than 6,500 participants in the annual YoungArts competition by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts.
Ms. O'Neill has spent recent months auditioning at The Juilliard School, The Curtis Institute, Mannes College The New School for Music, Manhattan School of Music, New England Conservatory, Univ. of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Oberlin Conservatory, Eastman School of Music, SUNY College at Purchase.
The teenager has heard back from Eastman and was recently informed by NEC that they are each offering her admission, although the official details are not expected for several weeks. The results of all auditions are typically known around April 1, making for a long and drawn-out process.
Of the 60 candidates in the arts, 20 will be selected as Presidential Scholars. The candidates were selected for their exceptional performance in the disciplines of dance, film/video, instrumental music, jazz, voice, photography, theater, visual arts and creative writing. The final selection process will include student essays, self-assessments, and descriptions of activities, school recommendations and transcripts.
Ms. O'Neill is a choral intern this year for high school teacher Veronica Mainville. The senior is also treasurer of the Tri-M honor society, student director of the a capella group Choral Fixation and is co-student directing the high school spring musical.
The teenager is currently preparing for her Juilliard pre-college senior recital on April 16 and opera scenes on April 30. Both events are at Juilliard's Lincoln Center Plaza campus and are free and open to the public. In addition to Tri-M, Ms. O'Neill is also a member of the National and Spanish honor societies.
As part of the U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts application process, Ms. O'Neill was asked to identify one teacher who has most influenced her and she cited high school faculty member Michael Schwendemann.
"All of us are delighted to learn that Mary-Liz is a candidate for such a prestigious honor," Huntington Superintendent John J. Finello said. She's an incredibly talented young woman. We're excited that Huntington has not one, but two U.S. Presidential Scholar candidates." It was announced last week that senior Adam Cerini is a candidate for his outstanding academic achievements.
The Commission on Presidential Scholars, a group of some 32 eminent citizens appointed by the President, will select the finalists and the U.S. Department of Education will announce the scholars in May.