At the Long Beach Public Schools’ May 12 Board of Education Meeting, students were recognized for their artistic and musical achievements. Director of Media, Visual and Performing Arts Julia Lang-Shapiro presented certificates to students ranging from grades 3-12.

A total of 33 students representing all five of the district’s buildings had their artwork featured in the Art Supervisors’ All County Art Show, and 10 musicians were selected to perform in the Long Island String Festival Association’s concerts this year. They are: Meghan Brolley-Monahan, Logan Monti, Jordan Collinson, Camille Katzen and Olivia Kreutzberg at the elementary level, Sophia Elenson, Meilin Garfinkle and Natalia Hakimzedeh from the middle school and Jonathan Kapilian and Leah Cohen from the high school.

Long Beach High School students have earned a number of prestigious art recognitions over the past several months. Max Tunney was named a National Scholastic Art Winner and received a silver medal for his art portfolio. He also received three Gold Key awards and a Silver Key at the regional level. Other regional winners are Charlotte Kasper, who earned a Silver Key and Honorable Mention, Andrew Garcia, who was awarded a Silver Key and Kristen Miciotta, who received an Honorable Mention.  

In Nassau Community College’s “What Matters” Art Competition, Lea Jaffe and Klaudia Sarno earned Awards of Excellence and Amber Werner and Noelani Tomicick received Honorable Mentions. Six high school students were featured in the Long Island’s Best Young Artists at the Heckscher Museum. Nina Miller earned third place and was overall winner of the Hadley Prize, Lindsay Kranitz and Eleanor Byrne received Honorable mentions, and Julia Candon, Max Tunney and Amber Werner had work showcased.

Charlotte Kasper, Lindsay Kranitz, Phillip Persky, Melissa Skolkin and Carly Siegel were Best in Show winners in the Long Island Media Arts Show, and Vida Cortes received spotlight in the LIATA Art in the Heart Exhibit at Sunrise Mall.

In the Photographic Federation of Long Island competition, Lindsay Kranitz won second place awards in two categories, Hannah Lerner won first place, Brigette Cruz won second place, Kristen Miciotta won third place, Cindy Reyes won second place and Jordan Torregrossa won second place. Charlotte Kasper won a second place honor in the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center 21st Annual Creative Arts Competition.

In addition to the student commendations, art faculty members were acknowledged for their dedication and support that helps encourage students to achieve their goals. Long Beach has been recognized as one of the Best Communities for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation for six consecutive years. Students have a history of success in the fine and performing arts, and even more good news is anticipated as the 2015-16 school year comes to a close.