Huntington Sparkles at LI Media Arts Show
Huntington High School art students sparkled at the Long Island Media Arts show at Five Towns College in Dix Hills, winning 30 Best in Show Awards in what is believed to be a record setting performance.
The exceptional showing is even more impressive considering the event drew about 750 entries from more than three dozen Nassau and Suffolk high schools. The Huntington students are enrolled in courses taught by Pam Piffard (photography), Heather Swan (video and animation) and Kasmira Mohanty (graphic arts).
“The work done by our student-artists is matched only by the efforts of their teachers in helping these young talents explore their creative sides and reach their artistic potential,” Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky said. “We are very proud of what they continue to achieve.”
Huntington photographers were sensational, winning 20 Best in Show Awards, including four by Jean Miller, three each by Shannon Contino and Emma Bausch and two each by Jeannie Kopstein, Meghan Scolo and Brianne Niera. Meaze Gbalazeh, Danielle Melgar, James Smoot and Jack O’Heir also captured Best in Show Awards.
“This was my second year going to the Long Island Media Arts show and my first year entering,” Ms. Miller said. “Being at the show was a great learning experience because the evaluators gave me a lot of good advice on how to better my photography for my Advanced Placement concentration. I’m very honored that I got to speak with some very talented artists.”
The judges were clearly impressed with the artwork submitted by the Huntington photographers. “This was the second year I went and it was by far the best year,” Ms. Scolo said. “I got such great tips for my work and plan on using them throughout my career in photography”
Huntington photographers have a long tradition of winning awards in the show, which Five Towns College has hosted for many years.
“This is my third year being at the event and first year entering it, yet every year I’m so impressed and proud to be part of such an amazing community of such talented young artists,” Ms. Contino said. “It’s truly inspirational.”
Huntington’s graphic design artists won nine Best in Show Awards, including an amazing six by Katie Giambrone and one each by Erica Vazquez, Steve Yeh and Tateana Khokhar.
“It was really great to finally be able to attend as a juror this year,” said Ms. Mohanty, who joined the ranks of judges. “It was nice to see the work created by other students and see how the whole event is organized.”
Rapidly ascending young filmmaker Charles Ehrman garnered a Best in Show Award to lead Huntington’s video arts students. “This year we were limited to five submissions and all the videos that were entered were truly worthy of a Best in Show,” Mrs. Swan said. “It is always a great experience to see what the film programs at other schools are producing. Although I feel as if we deserved more recognition, I am super proud of all my video students!”
With so many of her students winning awards, Ms. Piffard was clearly pleased with the performance. “As always, my photo students did an outstanding job at the LI Media Arts Show. I had 10 of my AP 2D students present their work to the critics and they earned a total of 20 Best in Show Awards for their work. The number of awards is a testament to the quality of work they produce. I am so proud to watch them interact with the critics in such a mature and confident manner.”
Ms. Giambrone’s stunning performance will not be forgotten anytime soon. “Going to the Long Island Media Arts Show was such an amazing experience for me,” she said. “It was my first time there, so I was clueless what attending an event like it entailed. While there I had a great time. I got such good advice from practicing artists and got to see artwork created by other kids my age. Going to the Long Island Media Arts Show was inspirational. Since then I’ve been trying out new techniques as well as testing the waters with other types of art that I’ve never made before. It was an experience I’ll never forget. I hope to go back next year.”