Irvington High School Students Earn Top Honors At Art, Writing

IRVINGTON, NY — Six Irvington High School students — Julia Caldropoli, Annie Horowitz, Samantha Kimura, Jimmy Park, Joshua Rynn and Janeeta Shaukat — earned top honors at the prestigious Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. They were each recognized for their creative pieces, which stood out among entries from thousands of students nationwide, according to a spokesman.

"We congratulate each of the students for their tremendous accomplishments,” Principal David Cohen said. “Their success is a testament to our strong arts programs and how Irvington High School teachers foster student creativity and expression."

At the national competition, Horowitz, a junior, received a Silver Key award for her writing piece “All Ye Need to Know,” a story that highlights suffering caused by socially constructed feminine beauty ideals. She also received a Gold Key award for her photograph “Beijing Street Vendor” at the regional level.

For her photograph "Runaway,” Shaukat, a sophomore, received a Silver Key award at the national level and a Gold Key award at the regional level.

At the regional competition, Caldropoli, a junior, received awards for seven different pieces in the drawing and illustration category. She earned Gold Key awards for her works “Detached” and “Intensity,” Silver Key awards for “Rishi” and “Distant” and honorable mention awards for “Captivate,” “Expression” and “Close.”

Park, a senior, also received several awards at the regional level. He earned Silver Key awards for his “Divine Thought” drawing and “Mischief” painting. In addition, he earned an honorable mention award for his “I Want…” mixed media piece.

Also receiving honorable mention awards at the regional level were Kimura, a junior, for her “Identify” drawing and “Into the Blue” painting, and Rynn, a junior, for his writing piece “The Mercenary.”

Presented by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, the awards program identifies students with exceptional artistic and literary talents.

Photo caption: From left, Joshua Rynn, Janeeta Shaukat, Samantha Kimura, Julia Caldropoli and Annie Horowitz. Not pictured, Jimmy Park. Photo credit: Irvington Union Free School District.