Art Students and Teachers Recognized by Board of Education

Students, parents, teachers, and administrators of Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District gathered in Wemrock Brook School on Tuesday to celebrate the 2009-2010 student artwork that was chosen for the district's Permanent Art Collection. The ceremony was part of the Board of Education’s meeting and recognized seven students for their artistic talents.

“Every year, I’m just amazed by the quality of the work and the creativity demonstrated by these children,” said Superintendent John J. Marciante, Jr. He also congratulated the district’s eight “incredibly talented” teachers, saying that each year they bring out the artist in their young students.

Marciante introduced Jessica Gent, the vice-principal of Clark Mills School and the art supervisor in the district.

“The presentation of the Permanent Art Collection to the Board of Education is, as I said, an important event for the art department because tonight we get to showcase the outstanding visual arts projects that are created in our schools by some of the most talented students under the direction of our exceptional art teachers,” said Gent.

The Permanent Art Collection was founded 25 years ago by Manalapan-Englishtown Middle School art teacher Nancy Elphick. Each year in every district school, the art teacher selects five to seven pieces of artwork from the hundreds to thousands that have been created in the school. “That’s no easy task,” said Gent.

Then, a committee of teachers and administrators meets and selects one piece to represent their school. The team uses a set of specific criteria to judge the artwork, which must exhibit creativity and craftsmanship beyond the basic project requirements.

Once the piece is selected, it joins a collection of artwork that is presented to the Board of Education and will tour each school. After the rotation, the artwork is returned to the home school where it will be displayed permanently.  

“Tonight we recognize that one piece and the artist who created it,” said Gent.

Prior to introducing the students, Gent recognized all eight of their art teachers as follows:

• Simon Nortman – Clark Mills
• Patricia Heagele –Millford Brook
• Roberta Schafler –Taylor Mills
• JoAnne Bale – Lafayette Mills
• Joy Koenig –Pine Brook
• Barbara Weiss –Wemrock Brook
• Marge Chandler– MEMS
• Nancy Elphick –MEMS  

Superintendent Marciante and Board of Education President Donna Formoso, as well as Board member Lori Semel, then presented the students with certificates.

The students were called up to the stage individually and read statements about their artwork, while a large screen projector displayed a picture of each piece. Since their work was created a year ago, the audience was reminded of the grade that the student was in when he or she completed the project.

The students and the artwork recognized were as follows:

• Rebecca Guilfoyle, 3rd grade, Clark Mills, Monet Lily Pad
• Nicole LaGrua, 5th grade, Milford Brook, Untitled  
• Julia Singer, 4th grade, Taylor Mills School, Irises  (Van Gogh)
• Alexandra Fountaine, 5th grade, Lafayette Mills, Untitled
• Briana Marter, 6th grade, Pine Brook School, Gabbie
• Robert Steward, 5th grade, Wemrock Brook School, Gateway to the West
• Kimberly Mironovich, 8th grade, MEMS, A Starry Night (Van Gogh)

Many of the students expressed their emotions as they created their work and the techniques they used. Many also reflected on how the experience as helped them gain confidence in their abilities. They thanked their teachers for their guidance as well as the committee that selected their artwork.

Sixth grader Robert Steward, whose work represented the event's hosting school, expressed a very heartfelt thank you.

“I just want to thank my art teacher Ms. Weiss for teaching me all the things she did and for her help,” he said. “I also want to thank Ms. Martin and Ms. Orlando for picking her as the art teacher for Wemrock Brook, and I want to thank my parents for helping me all my life,” he added.

The framed artwork was displayed on tables in the auditorium and refreshments were provided. After the ceremony, parents eagerly took pictures of their children with their teachers, administrators, and the collection.

The agenda portion of the BOE meeting began at around 8 p.m.  

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