Bellmore-Merrick Cultural Arts Foundation Celebrates Students at 40th Anniversary Luncheon

By Michelle Gagnon

Since the 1978-1979 school year, amazingly gifted and talented students from the schools in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District have been chosen to perform their musical, theatrical, and visually artistic talents at the Bellmore-Merrick Cultural Arts Foundation’s Annual Luncheon.

The Foundation knows and recognizes the importance of the Arts in the many aspects of our everyday lives. There has been compelling evidence that there are significant and social benefits connected to students participating in the Arts. The Cultural Arts Foundation, (a 501 (c)(3) not-for profit organization), is committed to sharing the talents of the District’s students at the Annual Awards Luncheon.

Celebrating this year’s 40th Anniversary Luncheon on May 23rd at the Coral House, 28 students performed and/or exhibited their talents and creations. The selection process begins with students in 8th and 12th grades from Grand Avenue MS, Merrick Avenue MS, Calhoun HS, Kennedy HS and Mepham HS being nominated by their teachers from the Visual Arts (Painting, Photography, Mixed Media, Welding, Sculpture, Architecture) and the Performing Arts (Vocal Music, Drama, Instrumental Band, Orchestra). Auditions are then held in March. The Adjudicating Committee, comprised of arts oriented community members of the Bellmores and Merricks, as well as music, and art teachers, has the very difficult decision of selecting one student from each of the Visual Arts and Performing Arts categories.

All who attend the Spring Awards Luncheon thoroughly enjoy all the music and art presentations by the District’s incredibly talented students. The Foundation would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to: Mr. John DeTommaso, Superintendent of Schools, Ms. Cheryl Fontana, Director of Fine & Performing Arts, School Administrators, Faculty, Staff, PTAS, Judges, Parents/Guardians and wonderful students for their time, support, participation and dedication to the Arts.

CALHOUN HIGH SCHOOL

JOCELYN CORTEZ Visual Arts, KYARA MARCELA AGUDELO Photography, SAMUEL ABRAMS Sculpture, MARIA FAZIO Vocal Music, BENJAMIN SHAPOSHNIKOV Instrumental Music/Band, CLARENCE VOGEL Instrumental Music/Orchestra, NICHOLAS PROCOPIO Drama

KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL

LILLIE SAPERMAN Visual Arts, ILANA PLOTKIN Photography, AVA EISNER Vocal Music, EMMA GOLD Instrumental Music/Band, AMANDA HUANG Instrumental Music/Orchestra, ETHAN GRIMES Drama

MEPHAM HIGH SCHOOL

LOGAN PECKMAN Visual Arts, EMMA TOCHILOVSKY Photography, MONICA SARDUY Vocal Music, JEFFREY LANGER Instrumental Music/Band, ADRIANA GUARASCIO Instrumental Music/Orchestra, DANIELLE SCHWAB Drama

GRAND AVENUE MIDDLE SCHOOL

RILEY FRIED Visual Arts, AMANDA FALLS Vocal Music, MASSIMO MARINO Instrumental Music/Band, JESSICA BLUMBERG Instrumental Music/Orchestra

MERRICK AVENUE MIDDLE SCHOOL

SOFIA DASILVA Visual Arts, IAN CONLON Photography, MAKENZIE REILLY Vocal Music, MICHAEL GUNN Instrumental Music/Band, WILLIAM LIU Instrumental Music/Orchestra