Artistic Curiosity Scholarships

Edward Hopper House Scholarship for Artistic Curiosity

The Edward Hopper House Scholarship for Artistic Curiosity is given to one high school junior from each of the 10 public high schools in Rockland County. The schools’ guidance counselors choose the recipients, with recommendations from the art, music, and English teachers.

The ideal candidate is a student who, like Edward Hopper, exhibits unique creative sensibilities and follows his or her own artistic path—whether in fine arts, music, film, or writing. This may involve a non-traditional process, or the use of innovative media, and having the aptitude to give artistic expression to his or her vision.

The program was started in 2010 by then trustee Victoria Hertz to recognize creative high school juniors as they begin preparations for college and beyond. The award encourages these talented students to maintain their creative inclinations and consider pursuing careers in the arts. Each student receives a $100 award plus a 5-year membership at the Edward Hopper House. The award has been generously underwritten since the beginning by Mary Ekmalian.

The recipients of the 2017 awards are:

Peter Zuidema - Pearl River High School
(visual artist, digital and film photography)
Wynnum Sabile - Clarkstown South High School
(visual art/music: band & orchestra, AP art)
Dana Badalamente - Tappan Zee High School
(visual artist: AP art, drawing and painting)
Deion Santana - North Rockland High School
(visual artist: drawing and painting)
Grace Griffin - Nyack High School
(visual artist/theater & set design)
Den-Mark Carter - Ramapo High School
(poetry, creative writing & dance)
Josselin Torres-Garcia - Spring Valley High School
(visual artist: drawing)
Rebecca Straniere - Clarkstown North High School
(visual artist)
Olivia Rivera - Suffern High School
(visual artist & fashion design/needlepoint)
Collin Farmer - Nanuet High School
(visual artist: logo design & scenery painting)

The recipients of the 2016 awards are:

Olivia Boryczewski - Nyack High School
Lauren Bleiwas - Ramapo High School
Kayla Terry - Pearl River High School
Elijah Curate - North Rockland High School
Melissa Denizard - Spring Valley High School
Aleyah Aragon - Clarkstown North High School
Kim Shepitika - Suffern High School
Sam Chen - Nanuet High School
Giselle Castro - Tappan Zee High School

The recipients of the 2015 awards are:

Pictured from left to right:

Jessica Jones - North Rockland
Priya Greg - Ramapo
Charlsey Tomassetti - Tappan Zee
Carly Moldow - Nanuet
Karishma Patel - Clarkstown North
Barbara Letizia - Clarkstown South
Emily Piescki - Suffern
Haley Cunningham - Nyack

Brian Hayes - Pearl River
Slad Marseille - Spring Valley

The recipients of the 2014 awards are:

Skyela Bussey - Suffern
Anthony Cona – North Rockland
Stephen Coopersmith - Nanuet
Katelyn Dowd – Pearl River
Wendy Estrella – Nyack
Justine Gizzi – North Rockland
Caitlyn Litaker – Clarkstown South
Jacqueline Manzano – Ramapo
Angelica Ranallo – Tappan Zee
Elaine Tram – Clarkstown North
Karla Urgiles – Spring Valley

The recipients of the 2013 awards are:

Mariesa Aguilar - Nanuet High School
Michelle Marin-Avalos - Ramapo High School
Justine Giardina - Suffern High School
Bianca Guerrero - Pearl River High School
Shelby Hougui - Clarkstown High School North
Alice Lee - Clarkstown High School South
Jenna Lubeck - Nyack High School
Jeanne Kim - Tappan Zee High School
Shama Omer - Spring Valley High School
Emily Stamboulian - North Rockland HS