Local Student Artists Gain National Attention

Ward Melville High School student-artists have already made their mark on the national stage this school year.

A project created by Grace Zhang during her AP Studio 2D class last year, was chosen for the cover art for a book – Portal of Vaal – written by Andrew Daly, a 16-year-old North Carolina boy. The book is currently being sold on Amazon.

Several films created by Grace and Henry DaCosta were selected for this year’s All-American Film Festival in New York City this October. Henry’s film, “Life Forms,” takes a look into the subconscious of a teenage boy questioning his place in society and the existential questions of life. Three of Grace’s films were selected for feature in the festival.

“Pretty Girls,” is a documentary short about the narrow-minded ideals of Asian beauty standards; “Rebirth,” is an experimental dance short symbolizing a violent metamorphosis as one loses purity in the transition from childhood to adulthood; and “Suburban Artifice,” was a love letter to suburbia in faded pastels.

The All-American high school film festival received thousands of film submissions from 48 states and 17 countries, which were narrowed down to approximately 200 submissions that will be screened at the AMC Empire 25 Theater in Time Square. This year’s award ceremony and Red carpet event will take place in the Historic King’s Theatre in Flatbush, Brooklyn on October 11 from 6:30 - 8 p.m.

Lastly, Ward Melville High School’s 2015 yearbook, Invictus, earned an All-American Honor Rating with four marks of distinction from the National Scholastic Press Association.

Photo Caption: Ward Melville High School student Grace Zhang is pictured with the cover art she created for a new book.

Photo Caption: Ward Melville High School students Grace Zhang and Henry DaCosta are pictured with teacher Stefanie DiLorenzo (left).

Photos provided by the Three Village Central School District