Staten Island students create original artwork for school exhibit | In Class column

IN CLASS: This post is part of an ongoing education column highlighting the various activities of school communities.

STATEN ISLAND, NY – A Staten Island elementary school hosted an art exhibit to showcase artwork by its special needs students.

In June, an art exhibit was held in P373R, an annex of PS 58 in New Springville. Parents were invited to view the exhibit, which included refreshments at a food stand run by fifth-grade students taught by teacher Kelly DiBenedetto.

The art exhibition featured artwork from all students from preschool to fifth grade. It included original student works, including interpretations of famous works by artists such as Claude Monet, Piet Mondrian and Alma Thomas.

The event was organized by art teacher Kimberly Russell with assistance from social studies teacher Christina Cordero, social skills teacher Kim Suroweic, and preschool teachers Susan Frank and Katie Paronich.

“The best part of the art show was watching the students show their parents their artwork and you could see how proud they were of themselves,” said Russell. “Our students have special needs and many things are difficult for them. There is an artist in every child and they shined at our art show.”

The show was made possible by the support of all the teachers, especially the deputy head teacher Marie Cornicelli.

“Ms. Russell provides 373 students with the opportunity to use art as an expression of their joy, emotions and imagination. Today I walked through the art gallery with my students and families and saw their confidence and pride in their work. I am excited to see what our P373 artists create next,” said Cornicelli.

CUNY’S ’50 under 50′ includes 2 on Staten Island

The City University of New York has unveiled its inaugural 50 Under 50 alumni list, recognizing outstanding CUNY alumni who have made advances in their respective fields over the past year. The honorees represent the diverse talents and achievements of the university community.

The first cohort introduces a new group of change leaders from diverse disciplines – including activists, lawyers, journalists and entrepreneurs – who represent the best principles of the University.

“CUNY’s story is best told by the more than one million alumni who have been inspired by the university’s mission, many of whom are giving back by making a difference in their industries,” said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. “We congratulate these 50 CUNY alumni on their outstanding career development since graduation.”

The award winners include two graduates of the College of Staten Island (CSI) in Willowbrook:

• George D. Adames, Deputy General Counsel, NYC Commission on Human RightsCollege of Staten Island ’16, CUNY School of Law ’19
• Andrea Dalzell, Chief Operating Officer, Access InitiativesCollege of Staten Island ’18, ’19

Two-time CUNY graduate George D. Adames was the first LGBTQIA+ community liaison for the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office. An openly gay Latino with a bachelor’s degree from CSI and a law degree from CUNY School of Law, he currently serves as Deputy General Counsel for the NYC Commission on Human Rights.

Another recipient, disability advocate Andrea Dalzell, is chief operating officer of Access Initiatives, a multidisciplinary center that provides services to people with physical disabilities. A graduate of CSI, Dalzell is the first registered nurse in New York to graduate from nursing school in a wheelchair.

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