Brooke Muto of Port Chester, began her senior year at Maria Regina, the renowned all-female Catholic high school, with exciting news from the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA). Her poppy poster had won the best overall poster in the Eastern Division in the ALA’s annual national contest as well as the Class V (Grades 10 and 11) title.
In a letter from Karen Toll, National Poppy Chair, Brooke learned that her entry had been judged by ALA members at the Valhalla 1038 Unit as well as by New York State and national Poppy chairs.
Toll also noted that Brooke’s poster was “proudly displayed at our National Convention…as well as featured on our national website.”
Entitled “Home of the Free Because of the Brave,” Brooke’s poster depicts a U.S. soldier holding a poppy whichcommemorates the sacrifices of U.S. Armed Forces members who died in defense of their country.
Two other members of Maria Regina’s acclaimed Visual Arts Program shared the winners’ spotlight with Brooke at this year’s Valhalla ALA Unit Poppy Poster Contest. They were Keitumetse Rankoe of New Rochelle who won First Place in Class VI (grade 12) and Layla Rabadi of Yonkers, Commander’s Award.
Maria Regina welcomed the arrival of another talented artist as a new sophomore, Gabriella Michelle Oliveira of White Plains, who transferred from Valhalla High School. Gabriella was also a national winner in this year’s ALA competition. Her poppy poster earned the Eastern Division ALA Class IV (grades 8 & 9) honor.
Principal Maria Carozza-McCaffrey (Class of ’99)congratulated Brooke and Gabriella for distinguishing themselves at the national level for their singular creativity that honors the memory of those in our community who lost their lives in defense of our freedom,” adding, “their artwork serves as a powerful bridge between past sacrifices and future hope, proving that your voices are as impactful as they are inspired.”
She also noted that “what makes the artistic success of our students truly extraordinary is how it integrates with the school’s pioneering academic culture,” adding: “While the Poppy Poster contests showcase the students’ creative empathy, academically rigorous programs like the AP Capstone Diploma challenge these same students to master college-level independent research and oral defense.”
“This means a Maria Regina student isn’t just an artist or a scholar; she is a multidimensional leader capable of winning a local, statewide or national art competition one day and defending a 5,000-word academic thesis on global policy the next. It is this rare fusion of high-level creative expression and rigorous investigative research that defines the Maria Regina student.”
To learn more, visit www.mariaregina.org