Perry Hall Artists Put Talent On Display

Studio art teacher John Hostalka stood at a podium inside Perry Hall High School and explained why events like Friday night’s art show and National Art Honor Society induction ceremony are so important.

“In an era of financial instability and school budget cuts,” he said, “we need to remind our kids how lucky they are to be able to be a part of such a vibrant artistic community as we have here at Perry Hall High School.”

Corinne Sandkuhler, president of the school’s NAHS chapter, followed this by telling the audience, “Art fosters our growth not only as artists, but as individuals.”

With those words, what began as a celebration of art was transformed into a celebration of the artists themselves, as Perry Hall inducted 42 new members into the NAHS.

For young art students, being part of the NAHS “is a way of signifying that they are serious about, and committed to, art,” said Hostalka, sponsor of the school’s NAHS chapter. “We also give students the opportunity to find out more about art.”

During the school year, the more than 80 NAHS members at Perry Hall enjoy museum trips and participate in events including a wintertime art auction, a Halloween-oriented “Festival of Frightening Food” and Friday night’s art show.

Perry Hall resident Helen Grauer, who attended the show in support of granddaughters Shelby Hewitt and Ashley Taylor, was impressed by the talent on display. “These works are tremendous—just gorgeous,” she said. “There are a couple that I’d like to take home with me.”

After the art show and induction ceremony, 20 12th-graders received NAHS graduation cords to be worn during ceremonies in May. The event concluded with the presentation of certificates to more than a dozen art show award-winners, as judged by four Stevenson University students who are members of AIGA, the professional association of design.

Darlene Roland, an art show participant and three-year member of the NAHS at Perry Hall, said, “I like coming to events like this because they’re very inspiring. When I leave here, I want to go home and get to work!”

NATIONAL ART HONOR SOCIETY (Perry Hall Chapter) OFFICERS:

President – Corinne Sandkuhler

Vice Presidents – Maria Anagnostou and Sonya Wegrzecki

Secretary – Morgan Harant

Treasurer – Megan McHargue

Historian – Stephanie Devanzo

NAHS INDUCTEES:

Fadakah Adebayo

Maria Ambridge

Taylor Baxley

Dean Brooks

Ashley Chambers

Taylor Coles

Vivian Dang

Emily Dissen

Rachel Droter

Kimberly Fernandez

Claire Gawryck

Zuri Gray

Jessica Han

James Harris

Brooke Herold

Niki Kilduff

Courtney Klein

Michelle Krach

Tina Krastel

Justyna Kurbiel

Sarah Long

Brianna Lucas

Zoe Martin

Sydney McDonald

Tiffanie Miller

Elsie Mo

Shelby Montgomery

Alec Myers

Marina Nicholas

Janelle Pascual

Rachel Prosser

Nicholas Purkey

Christine Qabar

Leanna Ritson

Kate Shelton

Joanna Trojanowski

Michael Twining

Julie Volz

Lydia Willig

Tiffany Woodall

Isabelle Wynn

Carrie Zaydel

12th-GRADE GRADUATION CORD RECIPIENTS:

Akilah Alleyne

Fadakah Adebayo

Emily Cantales

Priyanka Divecha

James Harris

Rebecca Himes

Kristine Jenkins

Niki Kilduff

Madeline Krug

Rachel Lebowitz

Sean Lindemann

Shelby Montgomery

Bridget Nolan

Antonia Santoro

Rachel Skipper

Samuel Smith

Victoria Talbert

Emily Tsai

Sonya Wegrzecki

Sophia Yang