At the January 21 Hicksville Board of Education meeting, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ted Fulton acknowledged twelve outstanding students who have been recently recognized at the regional, state and national levels for their accomplishments in the arts, literature and academics.
Hicksville High School junior Katie Chu has been selected as one of only twelve students from across Long Island to be featured in the annual Shanti Fund Peace Art Calendar. Katie’s artwork was chosen for its strong technical skill as well as its powerful and inspiring message. Her piece thoughtfully weaves themes of global harmony and personal gratitude into a compelling visual narrative. By representing Hicksville in this regional publication, Katie is helping to share a message of unity well beyond the walls of the high school. For more than twenty years, the Shanti Fund has promoted peace and harmony through education, and this year’s student artists were challenged to explore the theme “Peace and Gratitude.”
Additionally, Katie was also recognized as an award winner in the New York State Art Teachers Association (NYSATA) Youth Art Flag Competition, a prestigious statewide contest held annually in celebration of Youth Art Month. This year’s theme, “The World Needs Art,” encouraged students to reflect on how creativity sustains, connects, and heals the global community. Selected from hundreds of submissions across New York State, Katie’s artwork stood out for its originality, technical excellence, and powerful interpretation of the theme. Her work serves as a reminder that art is a universal language that helps shape and improve the world around us.
Hicksville sophomore Pratheeksha Ganesh, a published poet whose poem, “La La Land,” was recently featured in The America Library of Poetry Anthology. Her poem was selected from a national pool of student submissions, marking the second consecutive year Pratheeksha has received this distinguished honor. The America Library of Poetry is dedicated to encouraging young writers by providing a creative platform for students to express their thoughts, experiences, and voices through poetry.
Hicksville senior Roza Amin has reached an exciting milestone by publishing her first novel, Filter 70, now available on Amazon. Set in Charleston, North Carolina during the 1970s, the psychological thriller explores complex themes through rich character development, suspense, and intense conflict. Roza’s achievement reflects her exceptional strengths in literacy and English Language Arts, particularly in creative expression and the use of precise, descriptive language.
Closing student recognitions were nine outstanding Hicksville seniors who have earned the AP College Board Capstone distinction, a significant academic achievement that reflects years of dedication, perseverance, and college-level scholarship. This distinction demonstrates students’ abilities to think critically, conduct independent research, collaborate effectively, communicate clearly, and persist through academic challenges.
The following students earned the AP Capstone distinction:
• Nandini Bali
• Shelby Fraser
• Adiyat Hussain
• Hannah Mathis
• Angelica Mera
• Ava Middleton
• Raahil Mohammad
• Aanya Rawal
• Anusha Shah
Dr. Fulton concluded his remarks by congratulating all those recognized again for their remarkable accomplishments and applauded them for their commitment and hard work.
Hicksville Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ted Fulton, Hicksville Board of Education Trustee Sunita Manjrekar, student Katie Chu, Hicksville Board of Education Secretary Erin Guida and Hicksville Supervisor of Fine Arts Chad Wyman.
Hicksville Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ted Fulton, Hicksville Board of Education President Annette Beiner, student Pratheeksha Ganesh and Hicksville Supervisor of English, Reading and Libraries Dr. Catherine Carella-Dean.
Hicksville Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ted Fulton, Hicksville Board of Education Trustee Irene Carlomusto, Hicksville Board of Education Vice President Linda Imbriale, student Roza Amin and Hicksville Supervisor of English, Reading and Libraries Dr. Catherine Carella-Dean.
Hicksville Board of Education Trustee Danielle Fotopoulos, Hicksville Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ted Fulton, students Angelica Mera, Hannah Mathis, Adiyat Hussain, Shelby Fraser, Nandini Bali, Ava Middleton, Aanya Rawal, Ex Officio Student Board Member Christina D’Costa, Hicksville Board of Education Trustee Patricia Bulerin and Hicksville Supervisor of English, Reading and Libraries Dr. Catherine Carella-Dean. Missing from photo: Raahil Mohammad and Anusha Shah.