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Board of Education Accepts State Honor, Recognizes Three Award-Winning Student Artists
The Brentwood Board of Education met this week to celebrate a state-level honor for its theater programming and a top finish in a regional peace art contest.
The New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) named the district a "Champion of Change" for its student theater program, La Compañía de Teatro el Mundo de los Sueños. The recognition program highlights creative initiatives in New York school districts that bring meaningful change to students and communities.
NYSSBA officials notified the district in December that the theater group was selected for its innovative impact. The district received a commemorative banner to be displayed in a place of honor.
In a separate recognition, Brentwood High School sophomore Rachel Rodriguez secured first place in the 10th-grade category of the 2026 Shanti Fund Peace Art Calendar Contest.
Rodriguez is not currently enrolled in an art course but worked independently through October and November with former teacher Jae Won Shim to develop her entry. Her winning piece features a graphic portrait of Mahatma Gandhi set against Mount Everest and traditional prayer flags.
"I chose to draw Gandhi because his message about educating children for real peace feels just as important today," Rodriguez said. "I included Mount Everest in the background to show how achieving peace can feel like climbing the highest mountain but it is still possible if we keep moving forward."
Rodriguez joins two other district winners recognized earlier this month: eighth-grader Anabel Umanzor and sixth-grader Said Jordan Romero. Both attend East Middle School and are students of Jennifer Grasso-Moise.
The Shanti Fund is a Long Island organization that promotes nonviolence through education. Winning entries are featured in the group's annual calendar distributed across the region. The calendar will be published in April and distributed at a special banquet for all three of our talented honorees.
Board members praised the students and staff for maintaining a tradition of artistic and creative excellence.
