Middle Country Central School District Celebrates Long Island Merit Scholar Artist

Newfield High School Senior Honored At Half Hollow Hills East Award Ceremony

Newfield High School senior Tyler Berns was recently named a Merit Scholar Artist by the Long Island Arts Alliance. After an extensive evaluation process—including a video portfolio and New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) All-State performances—Tyler was recognized for his percussion skills on snare drum, mallets, multiple percussion and timpani. Tyler was one of three music students recognized in Suffolk County for excelling as both a scholar and musician. He was honored at an award ceremony at Half Hollow Hills High School East in Dix Hills, NY, and will participate in an end-of-the-year reception at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in June.

Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA), in collaboration with Newsday, New York Community Bank Foundation, and Long Island’s school art administrators, have hosted this award ceremony since its inception in 2007. The LIAA Scholar-Artist Awards Program is designed to honor Long Island students considered to be “the best of the best” in both academics and arts. All Long Island high schools, private, public and parochial are invited to nominate up to five students, one in each of the judged disciplines: Music, Visual Arts, Media Arts, Theater and Dance. Ten students from Nassau County and ten students from Suffolk County are chosen as winners.

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