Watchung Hills Art Students Inducted into Honor Society

Forty-two of Watchung Hills Regional High School’s most talented student artists have been named members of the National Art Honor Society, after being inducted in a ceremony while surrounded by their artwork.

The display of the students' talents were in the walls of the high school atrium and in free-standing showcases when the students were inducted on Dec. 4 into the national organization recognizing students with outstanding ability in the arts.

The  student exhibit will remain in the Atrium Gallery through December.  

Students named for the honor received certificates of membership, pins and congratulations from Watchung Hills Principal George Alexis and art teacher Joan Thomson.

The students are: Tegan Andrew, Hilary Barboza (Gallery), Rachel  Berman, Ashley Breton (Public Relations), Shannon Butler, Annika Chan, Emily Daley, Catherine Daly, Cole Degeorges, Hannah Feldman, Ali Fung (Public Relations), Catherine Galasso, Kristy Huang, Ashley Link and Justine Liu.

Also: Taylor Lyons, Jackie Mattaliano, Kaitlyn Mattheiss, Renee Mc Kenna, Katie Meltzer, Lauren Munzer,  Rebecca Novik, Margot Novek, Lucy Parker, Jessica  Ruck, Carolyn Sarno, Corinne Semper, Carly Sinnott, Emily Slass, Hannah Song, Shane Staszczak, Erin Topel and Rachel Toubin.

Additional students Tonianne Vander Fliet, Valentina Vidusin, Mary Wagerik, Christina Wallace, Rebecca Weinerman, Ed Weisgerber (Vice President), Alexia Woerner, Helena Yang (President), and William Zhang.

Those selected for membership had met strenuous requirements: a grade point average of 3.2 overall and a 3.7 average in art. They also were required to be in the third level of a sequential art program and endorsed by a faculty member in good standing with the National Art Educators Association. Two art-related essays had to be submitted as well. Students must also have had their work displayed in a local venue such as a store, office, or other public space.

The honor of membership does not carry over and must be earned every year.

The works in the display especially prepared for the occasion include ceramics, jewelry, painting, drawing and photography. The students' instructors included Brian Dursee, Joan Thomson, Michelle Truskowski and Vincent Colsabella.

Vincent Colabella, photography teacher who coordinated the installation procedure, said that  “The work here represents students who are mastering the visual language…Their work varies from three-dimensional to two-dimensional,  from large to small, from realistic to abstract. What the works have in common is Visual Arts…They are all dedicated to their passion and creativity; they’ve worked hard to fulfill their need to create.”

Guest speaker Robert Krause, a graduate of Pratt Institute with degrees in Architecture and City Planning, has designed parts of Yemen, airports and residences. He has traveled  extensively and photographed worldwide. It was obvious that his driving force is art, how it is present in all forms around us.

The National Art Honor Society goes beyond recognizing students with significant artistic ability. It encourages them to help increase artistic and aesthetic awareness in the community outside of the school, to mentor others and help develop their artistic skills.