|
The works of
127 young writers, poets and artists are featured in the recently
published 2009 edition of Aspirations, Mercer County
Community College's literary and art journal for high school students.
The college recognized these talented and inspired students in a
special ceremony April 21. Selections included in Aspirations
were made by a panel of high school teachers, college professors
and graphic designers.
MCCC Associate
English Professor and Aspirations Editor Bettina Caluori,
who served as master of ceremonies, noted her pleasure in reading
the works of such creative young people. "These pages contain
keen observations, both funny and serious," she said. "You
offer youthful perspectives on being human that older readers will
recognize too. You help us see through your eyes." Caluori
thanked the many educators who helped make Aspirations possible.
MCCC President
Patricia Donohue added her words of congratulations, commending
the students for participating in the Aspirations program
and for sharing their talents with a wider audience. "Student
success is the central focus at Mercer. Tonight, we celebrate your
aspirations," Donohue said. Also participating were Robin Schore,
Dean of Liberal Arts, and Judith Ehresman, Dean of Arts and Communication.
MCCC students
added to the special evening. The event opened with selections by
the MCCC Jazz Band under the direction of Professor James Kelly.
Performing Arts students entertained the audience by reading selected
poems from Aspirations and interpreting them through movement.
Performers included Jael Atchison, Kelsey Baker, Alejandro Hernandez,
Charlene Jamison, Ben Knight, Stephanie Landau, Patrick Martin,
Keegan McDonald, Laura Murey, Tommy Searl IV and Jessica Stanley.
Students
from the college's Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management
Program prepared hors d'oeuvres and desserts.
Schools represented
in Aspirations include Allentown, Hamilton West, Hightstown,
Hopewell Valley, Lawrence, Nottingham, Robbinsville, SciCore Academy,
Steinert, Trenton Catholic Academy and West Windsor-Plainsboro North.
Aspirations
has been published for more than 25 years. In addition to MCCC,
the publication is made possible by the Mercer County Cultural and
Heritage Commission through funding from the Mercer County Board
of Chosen Freeholders, and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department
of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment
for the Arts.
Copies
of Aspirations are available by calling the MCCC Liberal
Arts Office at 609-570-3320.
|
|
