Byram Hills High School celebrated the induction of 15 student artists into the National Art Honor Society, recognizing them for their commitment to their visual arts courses and community service in the arts.
Director of Fine Arts Pete Pauliks opened the March 29 ceremony and congratulated the inductees. He noted Byram Hills’ long commitment to the arts and the many artistic paths available for high school students. They can study sculpture and ceramics, drawing and painting, graphic design, photography, media arts, and metalsmithing.
“I’m humbled by the creativity and determination demonstrated by our students each and every day and I’m beyond proud of the entire visual arts faculty for their inspiring artistry and their dedication to our students,” Mr. Pauliks said.
The National Art Honor Society was created by the National Art Education Association in 1978. The Byram Hills chapter began in 2018 to provide students with opportunities to broaden their knowledge of the arts and use their talents to serve their community.
To be a member, Byram Hills students must maintain an A average in their arts courses and a B cumulative grade point average in all other subjects. Students need to have completed Studio Art and at least two art electives to be considered for membership, making students eligible in 10th grade.
Students in the honor society contribute to visual arts-related community service projects and participate in the chapter’s meetings, activities and fundraisers.
The four officers in the honor society, co-presidents Alaska Fairbanks and Samantha Milewicz, vice president Abby Eickelbeck and secretary/treasurer Piper Siegel, discussed their individual art journeys and their experience with NAHS.
“Participating in the art program at Byram Hills has allowed me to experiment with my art, try new mediums and ultimately grow as an artist,” Alaska said. “I’ve loved connecting with others in school and the local community and organizing and participating in NAHS’ activities.”
Abby said: “Being a part of this honor society is truly a rewarding experience as not only do we get to give back to the community through art, but we also get to explore our personal interests in different mediums through various projects.”
During the ceremony, Abby and Piper highlighted the projects and activities that students have been involved in this year:
- The work of many students was included in a student booth at the Armonk Outdoor Art Show, a highly ranked, juried fine art and design show in the early fall.
- In October, students painted pumpkins inspired by the work of famous artists including Tim Burton and Keith Haring and sold them as a fundraiser. The decorative pumpkins could be found throughout the school before Halloween.
- Students made clay bowls to support the Empty Bowls movement by artists to raise money for charities to help the hungry. In November, the bowls were donated to an Empty Bowls event sponsored by the Hillside Food Outreach, a nonprofit that provides meals to people in Westchester County and nearby areas.
- Eight students submitted work to the NAHS juried exhibition to be judged by artists at the national organization. Out of 2,410 entries, 120 pieces were chosen as winners, including “Wheel of Fortune” by senior and NAHS co-president Alaska Fairbanks.
- A new project this year involved the creation of bookmarks inspired by famous children’s books. The colorful bookmarks will be available to Coman Hill Elementary School students when they check out books in the library.
- For Valentine’s Day, students designed cards and created a way for them to be sent electronically with a personalized message. They received 176 responses.
- To help usher in spring, students painted stones with messages of kindness like “Dream Big” and “Bee Happy” and placed them throughout school to brighten students’ day.
Each inductee was called to receive a membership certificate from the honor society advisers, teachers Jayne Karlin and Amy Menasche, while a slide of their artwork was displayed on a large screen on the stage. NAHS members who were previously inducted were also individually recognized for their continued contributions to the NAHS.
The students inducted this year are:
Hudson Dean
Katherine Dyer
Sabrina Feng
Marlee Fisher
Jessica Freiberg
Zoe Marcus
Kayleigh McLaughlin
Gabriella Merli
Leila Miles
Maya Molloy
Eve Nepo
Gregory Parent
Sarah Park
Elsa Rolfs
Alexa Shuster
Previously inducted students who were recognized:
Abby Eickelbeck - vice president
Alaska Fairbanks - co-president
Piper Siegel - secretary/treasurer
Samantha Milewicz - co-president
Samantha Abraham
Elizabeth Albright
Ayaka Ammon
Gemma Dean
Lily Hirsch
Eerika Karttunen
Casey Maryyanek
Jonathan Parent
Lila Raff
Avery Talbot
Olivia Zodda
To view the National Art Honors Induction Ceremony, click here.
