Franklin Middle School
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Artists Honored at Student Artist Reception & Board Recognition
On October 22, students representing all schools in the Ken-Ton School District were recognized at a special event that celebrates the importance of art education and the contributions of the Board of Education.
Art teachers from across the district selected one student artist from each school to be recognized at the annual Student Artist Reception and Board of Education Appreciation Night. The students’ artwork, created during the 2018-19 school year, was framed and put on display in the Community Room at the Kenmore Middle School Building.
The students who were recognized alongside their art teachers from the previous school year were:
- Jacob Core, Franklin Middle School, “The Bird of Color” (teacher: Lisa Mihelbergel)
- Gabriella Dillen, Holmes Elementary School, “Rainbow Garden” (teacher: Diane Schaefer)
- Teagan Dory, Edison Elementary School, “Untitled” (teacher: Wendy Yiengst)
- Layla Geiman, Hoover Middle School, “A Scattered Evening” (teacher: Gina McCartney)
- Cameron Nigro, Franklin Elementary School, “Red & Lulu” (teacher: Elaine Korcykowski)
- Jenna Partsch-Putz, Kenmore East High School, “Lever du Soleil” (teacher: Denise Carr)
- Ricaiya Reid, Lindbergh Elementary School, “Boats on the Water” (teacher: Lavinia Kirdani)
- Kaiyan Wilson, Hoover Elementary School, “Landscape” (teacher: Jennifer Lynch)
- Natalie Zuefle, Kenmore West High School, “The Trickster” (teacher: Amy Veltri)
Speaking at the reception and honoring the artists were Superintendent Steve Bovino and Board of Education President Dr. Jill O’Malley, who congratulated the students on their outstanding work and expressed their appreciation for the support of the students’ families and art teachers, as well as all art teachers in the district.
Superintendent Bovino also highlighted the importance of the arts in education, noting that the Ken-Ton School District has expanded its art offerings over the past several years despite fiscal challenges which have caused many other school districts to scale back their art programs.
The annual Student Artist Reception and Board of Education Appreciation Night coincides with New York State School Boards Association School Board Recognition Week which is observed throughout New York State to reflect on and thank Board of Education members for their service. In Ken-Ton, the school district is governed by five dedicated trustees who volunteer their time to serve the students of the district: Board President Dr. Jill O’Malley, Board Vice President Andrew Gianni, Trustee Matthew Chimera, Trustee Dr. Thomas Reigstad, and Trustee Michelle Tarbox.
Each year, the superintendent selects one of the student’s works, and framed copies are presented to each of the Board of Education members as a token of gratitude for their service. This year’s selection was Jacob Core for his work, “The Bird of Color.”
Led by nearly 20 full-time art teachers, the Ken-Ton School District is widely regarded in the Western New York arts community as having one of the region’s leading K-12 art education programs. Students are exposed to a robust offering of art education programs beginning in kindergarten, including two comprehensive high school art career pathways, one in the Fine Arts and one in the Media Arts, as well as opportunities to earn advanced certifications and close partnerships with local art galleries and organizations. To learn more, visit www.ktufsd.org/art.