Hewlett High School Students "Capture" Their Community

When Nick Lacetera asked his AP photography class at Hewlett High School to capture their interpretation of community using their cameras and imaginations, he was blown away by the differences in perspectives and range that each student would produce.

Lacetera, who has been teaching photography at Hewlett for nearly 18 years, assigned his group of about a dozen students, mostly seniors, the “community” task after a representative from the Long Island Center of Photography invited his class to be a part of their exhibit at the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library.

“I saw this as a nice opportunity for the kids to show their work and put on their college transcripts,” Lacetera said.

About 30 pieces from Lacetera’s students are on display, with three photos from each student. The exhibit will be run at the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library until Feb. 27.

The students are also responsible for creating a portfolio at the end of the school year that is submitted for a final grade, Lacetera said. The exhibit would therefore serve as a great way for them to start their individual portfolios.

Laura Glabman, one of the curators of the display and a member of the Long Island Center of Photography, said she felt that since the exhibit was based on “community,” it was the perfect opportunity to exhibit the students’ work and share their enthusiam with locals.

"They have a great future ahead of them as aspiring photographers," she said. "I am excited to see their work and what they are doing at such a young, early stage in their artistic journeys.”

Mackie Sperry, a first year AP photography student, captured her interpretation of community while on vacation with her family in Mexico. She was mesmerized by a group of Brazilian dancers adorned in make-up, masks and interesting head pieces as they danced and played traditional musical instruments.

Their unity in song and dance represented community for Sperry. “The story behind the photo is what captures me,” she said.  

Sperry said that the movements and colors of the dancers appealed to her and ignited her inspiration behind the series of pictures she would later submit to the community exhibit.

“They were dressed in bright yellows and bright greens,” Sperry said. “The way the shot was set up and how everyone was placed made the picture a winner. One shot brought everyone and everything together.”

Her fellow photography student, Gaeyln Rosenberg, saw community in a much more personal way. Her collection of photographs was inspired by everyday happenings within her family. She captured the essence of community while spending time at her cousins’ house amongst parents, aunts, uncles and other relatives. Nothing was staged, she said.

“I like a picture that is personal to me, something that I can relate to," Rosenberg said. "If I can find something that is familiar to me and I can connect with, then I know I’ll love it.”

The difference in their interpretations of community is what makes this assignment so unique.

“This assignment can be interpreted in so many different ways,” Lacetera said. “This is a great group…they are very creative. Some students have really good ideas and really think outside the box. I’m lucky to have such creative students in my class.”