Mt. Hope Students Inducted into National Art Honor Society

Fifteen Students were officially honored at the 1^st Annual National Art Honor Society Induction ceremony on Tuesday night, including Talia King, Madelaine Dennis, Joshua Cimbron, Derek Gaska, Chelsea McWilliams, Matt Carreiro, Taylor Clark, Shana Lapre, Leeana Nito, Tori Zeller, Jeremy Boutin, Natalie Holden, Jared McRoberts, Tyler Murgo and Alyssa Stuart.

Art teacher Lauren Enjeti organized the event, which honored students who took more than one art class this year, maintained a B average or better and attended the majority of Art Club meetings and events. At the ceremony Enjeti told the crowd of students, parents, relatives and staff that the inductees “have a love for the visual arts, understand its importance to society and their own lives” and “have a dedication to service and participation in their school and the community.” 

Principal Don Rebello praised Enjeti and the students saying, “What makes this so special is a very special person who has taken the time to make this event happen – to orchestrate the kind of excellence these students display in their work.”

Superintendent Melinda Thies echoed Rebello’s praise and offered her support for the arts. She drew chuckles from the crowd when she said her artist son was not only employed in the arts, but also had health care.

Enjeti’s husband Shanth Enjeti, a visual artist/designer and RISD instructor, gave an inspired speech about his experiences in the arts.

“Remember this one thing, the key to being a successful artist has nothing to do with talent," he said. "Talent is the most overrated thing on earth. It’s the thing you have that you didn’t have to work to get, something you lucked into. All of the most successful artists I know are there because of how hard they work. That’s what we’re honoring here tonight,  not only your ability and talent, but also the hard work.”

Mr. Enjeti ended the speech with a Latin quote that he felt embodied the ceremony, “In science, truth. In art, honor.” 

Senior Talia King spoke about the accomplishments of the Art Club in the past year, which included working on a mural dedicated to departed science teacher , making cards for overseas soldiers, organizing an art scavenger hunt and participating in the Bristol Rotary food drive, among other things.

“We have so much support from our teachers here. We have so much support as art students to be artists,” King later said.

Each inductee received an official card, an Art Club T-shirt and a personal gift selected by Mrs. Enjeti. After the induction ceremony, students and families enjoyed beverages and treats while viewing the student's art display and chatting with one another.

"Some people take it upon themselves to be the creators of art and put it out there for everybody else. I think it’s good to call attention to those people. And this is where it starts,” Mrs. Enjeti said.