Janice Lee
Janice Lee of the Syosset CSD, who is a visual arts student at Nassau BOCES Long Island High School for the Arts (LIHSA), has been named a Scholar Artist by the Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA). She is among only 40 students from across the Island to be honored with prestigious awards in the 2024-2025 Scholar-Artist competition and to be profiled in Newsday.
There are a great many things Janice loves about LIHSA; the diversity of courses, the nurturing atmosphere, the dynamic classroom environments, and the opportunity to develop her artistic skills all near the top of her list. But the best thing about the school, according to Janice, is its faculty. “My teacher is the absolute best,” she said. “Not only does he make the class fun, he inspires me every day and never fails to brighten my day.”
More than that, her teachers have helped her to find her direction. “They have encouraged me to follow my dreams, and to discover a career that I truly love and enjoy,” Janice said. “When you’re passionate about what you do in life, it ceases to become work.”
To that end, she plans to attend an arts college in New York City, and is currently considering both the Pratt Institute and Parsons School of Design. From there, she intends to pursue a career in in the art industry, either in design, photography or both.
“LIHSA has laid the groundwork for my future success by empowering me to become a more well-rounded visual artist,” Janice said. “Visual Arts has always been my passion, but LIHSA has taught me the importance of dedication and hard work. Without this experience, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
When asked what being named a Scholar-Artist means to her, Janice responded, “Receiving this award is both an honor, and an acknowledgement of the dedication and hard work I have put into both my academics and my art. It has encouraged me to push myself even further in both areas,” she added. “I have seen enormous improvements in my skills over the course of my time here. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to study something that I truly love.”
Janice earned her status in the Scholar-Artist program by demonstrating the highest level of artistic excellence, and performing at an outstanding level of academic achievement (a grade point average of 90 or above). Candidates are evaluated based on performances, a portfolio of their work and a written essay about how the arts have enriched their lives. Winners are chosen by a committee of arts educators and other professionals, with the final selection being made by a separate steering committee.