The Miller Place School District is delighted to recognize three students—Rose Vollaro, Zoe Bussewitz, and Ivy Newman—from Miller Place High School for their distinguished leadership in art and design. Their dedication and drive has presented them with numerous opportunities in photography, studio art, and charitable organizations to improve their communities.
“We always encourage our students to pursue their passions and dreams in any way that they can,” said Dr. Marianne Cartisano, Superintendent of Miller Place School District. “These three students are exemplifying our efforts in encouragement, as well as proudly representing the District outside of Long Island and across the world. We are so incredibly proud and cannot wait to see what else Rose, Zoe, and Ivy have in store.”
Over the last two summers, Rose Vollaro’s passion for photography and film/journalism has flourished through different opportunities with National Geographic. In the summer of 2017, Rose participated in a National Geographic photo workshop in Yosemite Park, California where she focused on developing a final photo series project to demonstrate progress throughout the trip. This past summer of 2018, Rose participated in the National Geographic Wild Life Conservation film crew project to raise awareness towards environmental issues in Alaska. Rose currently works part-time in Brooklyn as a photographer and assistant for a film studio and a reporter for the High School’s online newspaper, KROB. As she continues on the college-application process, Rose aims to pursue a career in Film Journalism/Screen Arts.
Five years ago, Zoe Bussewitz started Hearts for the Arts, an organization that gathers art supplies to send overseas to disadvantaged children so they can discover the beautiful world of art. Inspired by her father’s involvement in the Port Jefferson Presbyterian Church where the Pastor’s mission work was for children in Honduras, Zoe came to the realization that these children had never seen or held a crayon before. This was unimaginable to Zoe, especially since her mother was an art teacher. Zoe then decided to create Hearts for Arts, and started gathering art supplies to send to Honduras. Shortly after, Zoe’s friend Ivy Newman became involved while the two girls were working on their Silver Award for Girl Scouts of Suffolk County. The two girls are continuing their work with this amazing organization and are always looking for donated art supplies to share with children in Honduras. For more information on Hearts for the Arts, visit the website at www.Hearts4theArts.wixsite.com/h4ta.
For more information about the Miller Place School District, please visit the District’s website atwww.millerplace.k12.ny.us.