Suffern students and teachers mark Youth Art Month with district show, awards and school musical

The Suffern Central School District on March 24 highlighted student visual and performing arts during its regular Board of Education meeting, celebrating Youth Art Month with awards, a district art show and a student performance.

Student board member Joy opened the segment by listing high school activities, including a recent musical and an AVID college fair. The district announced it was named a “community of excellence in the visual arts” by the New York State Art Teachers Association, a recognition the superintendent said reflects “rigorous, comprehensive and equitable programming for all students.”

Students from the National Art Honor Society led the Youth Art Month presentations. Kennedy Leon, the chapter’s Youth Art Month chair, described the month’s theme and outreach efforts: “This year’s Youth Art Month theme is the world needs art,” Leon said, noting students taught lessons and led collaborative projects across elementary and middle schools.

Dilia Neil, the gallery director for the chapter, reported the district-wide art show at Suffern High School displayed more than 550 works spanning kindergarten through 12th grade and drew multi‑generation family attendance. Aurelie Reason, NAHS president, explained that New York State’s teachers association received 111 flag designs this year representing 3,786 students and that Suffern students had several recognized submissions.

Teachers and art staff read citations and presented certificates to student winners, including Hillary Ortiz and Noah Collina, and acknowledged special recognitions across elementary and middle schools. Mrs. Ross, an art teacher, praised junior Ryan Schoonmaker’s flag design, and other teachers recognized students from Sloatsburg and Cherry Lane schools.

Between presentations, Cherry Lane Elementary students performed an excerpt from the musical Newsies to promote their upcoming show and received sustained applause from board members and the audience. Afterward, students and board members posed for a group photograph.

The district used the meeting to remind residents of other upcoming events tied to student activities and to thank staff and volunteers who supported the visual and performing arts programs. The School Board’s focus on the arts wrapped with superintendent remarks about the district’s accomplishments and plans to host visiting educators to observe its dual-language models.