Byram Hills High School celebrated the creativity of 14 talented student-artists as they were inducted into the National Art Honor Society.
Marc Beja, the Byram Hills Director of Fine Arts, welcomed family, friends and faculty to the April 20 induction ceremony. He highlighted the District’s commitment to the visual arts, the expansive art program at the high school and noted that students are regularly selected for awards and scholarships and to show their work regionally, nationally and internationally.
“What makes tonight’s ceremony so special is that we will see some examples of the students’
artwork and hear directly from them about their skill development, their process and thinking behind their technique and what they’ve learned,” Mr. Beja said.
The National Art Education Association started the National Art Honor Society in 1978 to recognize students for their outstanding ability and interest in art. The Byram Hills chapter was formed in 2018 and is dedicated to providing students with opportunities to broaden their knowledge of the arts and serve their community.
For induction, Byram Hills students must maintain an A average in their arts courses and a B cumulative GPA in all other subjects. They must also earn points by participating in NAHS projects and have consistent attendance at meetings. Students are eligible for membership in 10th grade after completing Studio Art and two art electives.
Art teachers and NAHS advisers Jayne Karlin and Amy Menasche recognized the new members and presented them with a certificate as images of their artwork appeared on a large screen. The students inducted were Brielle Adamson, Jada Baskind, Talia Drazner, Zoe Horowitz, Lindsay Jacob, Gianna Marrone, Lilah Polak, Olivia Savitsky, Zabelle Shil, Magnolia Spain, Maeve Sullivan, Lila Vincequerra, Lila Weissman and Nate Zipper.
Returning NAHS members were also recognized.
During the ceremony, the NAHS officers discussed their personal journey with art.
The NAHS president, senior Rylie Casler, said she used to compare her work to other people’s, debating whether her art was good enough or if she should try to be like someone else.
“Taking high school art classes opened my eyes to see that the point of art isn’t to be the same as everyone else,” she said. “It’s the complete opposite. My constantly changing styles, experimentations and even my uncertainty isn’t me failing at consistency. It’s me growing as an artist.
“I no longer spend my time trying to fit into one style or matching someone else’s skills,” Rylie said. “I simply just create whatever feels right for me, and I believe that this freedom is what makes me love art the most.”
Senior Lilly Alonzo, the vice president, said her primary form of artistic expression is through metalsmithing and that her sustained investigation in AP 3D Design is an exploration of femininity.
“Art has become a way for me to think through heavy and complex problems and I’m so blessed and grateful to have gotten this far,” she said. “I’m excited to continue this journey throughout my life as I believe creativity, which we all have, is one thing you will always carry with you no matter where you are.”
Secretary/treasurer Adley Aronsky, a junior, has loved art for as long as she can remember. At a summer art camp, she refined her drawing, painting and sculpting skills and fell in love with fiber arts. She took architecture and art courses at Rhode Island School of Design last summer. And, Adley said she enjoys experimenting with different mediums in AP Studio Art.
“I’m so grateful for all my teachers, mentors, friends and family,” she said. “Their constant support and encouragement has truly pushed me to challenge myself in my artwork and to keep creating.”
“The art rooms at Byram Hills have become one of my favorite places over these past few years,” she added. “I realized that at some point they’ve become less of a classroom, and more of a place of expression.”
The officers also talked about projects and accomplishments that NAHS members participated in during the year:
- Students exhibited their work at the Armonk Outdoor Art Show, a top juried fine art and design show.
- In October, students painted pumpkins in the style of Tim Burton, Keith Haring and Yayoi Kusama and with fun Halloween designs.
- Students had 16 submissions to the annual NAHS juried exhibition.
- Six students submitted to the North Castle 250th anniversary art competition, and Lilly Alonzo won first place in the student category for her metalsmithing and enamel piece.
- Students designed digital Valentine-o-grams, cards that were sent with personalized messages.
- Students assisted an after-school art club at H.C. Crittenden Middle School, working with younger students to paint rocks, create posters and build connections between schools.
- Students helped make and position mosaic tiles for a ceramic mural depicting the four seasons. The mural will be installed in an outdoor courtyard near the ceramic butterfly installation created last year.
- Two students competed at the Junk Kouture world final in Dublin and one was recently named a New York finalist in the global competition of high-end fashion designs made from recycled material.