Michael Mendikyan Chooses New York University

Michael Mendikyan possesses so many gifts and talents that it’s hard to write about them all in a single article. The Huntington High School senior is headed to New York University to study music technology, but the teenager also excels as a photographer, having completed a rigorous Advanced Placement course in the subject.

Mr. Mendikyan was recently honored as a Distinguished Senior for his superb academic performance over the past four years. “Holding onto hope through the toughest challenges has been key to staying motivated,” he said. “Looking ahead to the future, I always believed that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to as long as I kept trying.”

The senior worked very hard on his final AP photography project. “Every photoshoot was researched and mutinously planned,” Mr. Mendikyan said. “During each shoot I explained my storylines to my models and asked them to act out my vision. Revision was crucial as I worked with each idea and its execution.  I was able to see the story come to life & make adjustments as needed. I tried single frames and sequences to see their effect on storytelling using strategic framing and lighting.  I planned out my shoots around locations that added to my narrative. I shot thousands of images for this project. Reflecting on my work and revising helped me develop a more deliberate approach to visual storytelling.”

Huntington photography teacher Pamela Piffard was impressed with Mr. Mendikyan’s finished products. “Michael worked so hard on his AP project,” she said. “His work is beautiful, unique, well planned and creative. I am so proud of what he has accomplished.”

The teenager said some of the “most meaningful” aspects of high school has been running on the Blue Devil varsity track team and participating in the drama club. “The people I’ve met and the experiences I’ve shared have shaped me into the person I am today. I’ve especially loved my time in the drama club, where I’ve created memories that will last a lifetime.”

Mr. Mendikyan was recognized by the College Board as a national first generation AP Scholar with Distinction. He’s contributed 17 pieces to the district art show over the years and taken the stage for multiple drama club productions.

His AP project resulted in gorgeous images being shot and shared. “I experimented through portraying different movie genres and their moods, as well as various methods of capturing storylines with sequencing,” Mr. Mendikyan said. “Sequencing allowed me to tell a story in a linear sense, and consistently capturing over 1000 plus images per shoot enhanced how moments unfolded into the genres I aimed for, with each shoot emphasizing narrative depth. Additionally, challenging myself with varying angles and compositions pushed me to refine my visual storytelling, allowing each frame to carry cinematic weight and reflect the emotional tone of the genre.”