Senior Adena Bianchi and junior Abby Carmody have been named Artists of the Week by WVIA-TV. This television campaign, conceptualized by NEIU 19, highlights high school students who have excelled in the study of the arts. The Artist of the Week spot showcases the student, high school, and school district and salutes them for their artistic achievement. Both Adena’s and Abby’s interviews will air on WVIA-TV during March 20 – 25, 2011. Both are also in the running to compete for Artist of the Year and honored on WVIA’s Scholastic Achievement Awards Show in May.
Adena, daughter of Ed and Cindy Bianchi of Waymart, is a four-year member of Western Wayne’s marching, concert, jazz and pep bands, and its pit orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Raymond Stedenfeld. A two-year clarinet section leader, Adena has placed on the district and regional levels three years in a row. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Students Against Destructive Decisions, and the St. Mary’s Church youth group. She has recently been named Western Wayne High School’s Student of the Month and was recognized at the March school board meeting.
Adena has successfully auditioned for and has been accepted to the schools of music at Lebanon Valley College and at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She will major in music education in the fall of 2011 at IUP.
Adena would like to convey her appreciation to Mr. Jim Willow for his patience, inspiration, and perseverance in helping her to achieve her musical goals.
Abby, daughter of Bill and Colleen Carmody of Waymart, is a member of the National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Technology Student Association, the Reading Team. She is a member of the basketball, volleyball, track, and cross country teams, competing at the state level for cross country last year.
Abby has been a Scranton Times calendar contest winner for two years, a Gold and Silver Key Scholastic Award winner, and an art student of the month at Western Wayne High School. In 2010, she earned a PTA first place award in visual arts.
Abby intends to pursue an art or combination art/science degree in fields such as environmental design, green architecture, medical illustration, or art education. She is currently working on a piece for the new Western Wayne EverGreen Elementary School in Hamlin, combining her interest in art, recycling, and the environment for her senior project.
Abby would like to express her appreciation to her art teachers, Mrs. Marie Ostrowski and Mr. Justin Hayden.