Three talented Maria Regina High School visual artists have won top awards in the recent Annual Valhalla American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Unit 1038 Poppy Poster Contest.
Their striking tributes using the poppy to commemorate the sacrifices of U.S. Armed Forces members who died in defense of their country were among the entries from elementary and high schools in the area that captured top honors in the highly competitive judging.
In an email to Maria Regina, Post 1038 President Emmy L. Cheskey noted: “The 59 posters submitted beautifully told the story of the poppy in many unique and moving ways, some even brought a tear to the eye of a veteran. Our judges had a very difficult task, as there were so many outstanding entries”.
The winners, who are members of the all-girls Catholic high school’s acclaimed Visual Arts Program, captured two first-place and Commander’s Award honors. They are:
● Keitumetse Rankoe of New Rochelle, First Place in Class VI (grade 12).
An international student originally from South Africa and the daughter of a diplomat, Keitu won the Commander’s Award two years ago.
● Brooke Muto of Port Chester, First Place in Class V (grades 10 and 11)
● Layla Rabadi of Yonkers, Commander’s Award.
Their winning posters will be on display during an Open House that will be held at the Valhalla Post following the village Memorial Day parade and ceremony, an event that will include the participation of Maria Regina’s trailblazing and popular all-girls marching band.
In addition, copies of the posters have been submitted to the New York State ALA Poppy Poster Contest that will be held at the organization’s Convention in July.
Principal Maria Carozza-McCaffrey (Class of ’99)congratulated the students on their triumphant showing in this year’s contest. “We are deeply proud of how our students exceptionally distinguished themselves and Maria Regina with their singular creativity that honors the memory of those in our community who lost their lives in defense of our freedom,” adding, “their artwork serves as a powerful bridge between past sacrifices and future hope, proving that your voices are as impactful as they are inspired.”
She also noted thatKeitu, Brooke and Layla are the latest chapter of Maria Regina Visual Arts Program artists shining in the Valhalla Post 1038 Poppy Poster Contests. Five students were honored two years ago including Ariela Franco (Class of ’24) of hometown whose poster won the top prize both in Valhalla and New York State, earning her the honor of competing in the American Legion’s national poster contest.
“What makes this artistic success truly extraordinary is how it integrates with the school’s pioneering academic culture,” explained Carozza-McCaffrey, continuing: “Maria Regina is one of the few schools in the region to offer the AP Capstone™ Diploma program. While the Poppy Poster contest showcases students’ creative empathy, the Capstone program challenges these same students to master college-level independent research and oral defense.”
“This means a Maria Regina student isn’t just an artist or a scholar; she is a multidimensional leader capable of winning a statewide art competition one day and defending a 5,000-word academic thesis on global policy the next. It is this rare fusion of high-level creative expression and rigorous investigative research that defines the Maria Regina student.”