For the second year in a row, the Central Islip Civic Council has secured funding for a unique art program for students in our junior and senior high schools. Our Youth Empowerment Program is an outgrowth of the I Matter program developed by Rob Goldman. Students work with their art teachers over several months to create a self-portrait and a statement of self-worth. High School Art teacher Caroline Perez said, “My students loved this project and often shared how much they enjoyed painting these pictures from their perspective. It was a process of self-reflection and creativity. It was a journey of self-discovery. What teacher could ask for more?” The students’ paintings and self-worth statements were displayed during the month of April in the Islip Town Hall as part of their “Art in the Hall” program. The students were congratulated by Supervisor Angie Carpenter and other dignitaries. For the month of May, you can see the paintings displayed in our Central Islip Library. Kudos to art teachers Kim Harris and Caroline Perez for their hard work and to the Suffolk County Youth Bureau (Monica Martinez) and the Suffolk Federal Credit Union for funding this very important program.

—Nancy Manfredonia