Westwood Teen Takes Pair of Art Awards

Westwood resident Lauren Inzalaco was recently awarded a Student Arts Achievement Award from VSA New Jersey and a Governor’s Award in Arts Education.

"It's definitely a confidence boost," Inzalaco said. "It makes me motivated to start new pieces and work harder."

Inzalaco, a senior at Bergen County Technical High School in Paramus, will be formally recognized at for her VSA award at a ceremony in New Brunswick April 28 and for her Governor's Award in a state Department of Education ceremony in Trenton in May.

Inzalaco said she has been interested in art for as long as she can remember and finds inspiration in the people and things she sees around her.

Karen Waller, Inzalaco's teacher, said the student's skill made her stand out as someone to nominate for the awards.

"I think she is one of the most talented people I have ever met, and that is as an art major, as someone who has her graduate degree in painting," Waller said. "She's gifted."

Inzalaco said she intends to pursue a degree in art after she graduates in June and hopes to one day be a high school art teacher.