Congratulations to LBHS student artists Ariana Jabbar and Syd Goldman! Their artwork has been selected for inclusion in Long Island’s Best—the region’s most prestigious juried exhibition for high school students. The 2024 show opens on April 6 and features 79 pieces chosen from 455 submissions across 67 high schools in Suffolk and Nassau Counties. Long Island’s Best is the only juried exhibition on Long Island that gives high school students the chance to exhibit their work in a professional museum setting.

A huge congratulations to Ariana and Syd, and to their dedicated teachers, Eric Fox and Marlon Lainez! Click here to view the full exhibit.

Click here to view the slideshow.

Date Added: 4/9/2025

Students in the Long Beach High School IB Dance Program recently took part in a Dance Residency Intensive on March 12 and 14, in partnership with New York City Center. This unique opportunity allowed the IB Dance students to collaborate with renowned international dancer, teacher, and choreographer Manon Bal, who guided them through Horton and Street Jazz techniques and choreographed an original performance piece exclusively for them.

Long Beach Dance Teacher Christianne Vella said, “Working with such an esteemed dance professional is a very unique experience for a dancer and for many of these students, it was a once in a lifetime time opportunity.”

Manon Bal, a versatile professional dancer from Marseille, France, worked closely with the students during the residency. She has trained at the IFPRO Rick Odums in Paris and the prestigious Ailey School in New York City. Since 2016, she has been a member of Ephrat Asherie Dance, a company that tours both nationally and internationally. Throughout her career, Manon has worked with esteemed choreographers, including Ronald K-Brown, Rick Odums, Michelle Dorrance, Tweet Boogie, Michele Byrd McPhee, Jon Rua, and Miki Tuesday. As a choreographer, she co-founded Maley Company with Dhele Agbetou and Mozaik Dance with Janine J9 Micheletti and Sun Kim. Additionally, Manon serves as a New York City Center Teaching Artist.

Date Added: 3/24/2025

Long Beach High School proudly announces that senior Erika Rios has received a prestigious National Scholastic Art Award for her exceptional Mixed Media piece titled Brick by Brick. Erika’s innovative artwork stood out among thousands of submissions from across the country, earning her national recognition and an invitation to be honored at the National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Ceremony at Carnegie Hall.

Presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is the nation’s longest running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens. Erika now joins the ranks of acclaimed past winners including Andy Warhol and Stephen King.

“Erika’s creativity and dedication to her craft shine through in every piece she creates,” said Julia Lang-Shapiro, Director of Media, Visual & Performing Arts. “She has an incredible ability to blend materials and textures in ways that are both thought-provoking and visually striking. Brick by Brick is a testament to her skill, vision, and artistic voice.”

Art teacher Eric Fox added, “Erika exhibits an unwavering passion for art that is truly inspiring. Whether she’s working with watercolor or experimenting with collage, she consistently dedicates herself to learning, exploring, and perfecting her techniques. This year, she has focused on multimedia works that incorporate a wide range of materials—and the results have been extraordinary.”

Erika’s achievement exemplifies the strength of Long Beach High School’s Visual Arts program, which fosters artistic expression and personal growth in a supportive and challenging environment. Her recognition on the national stage is a proud moment for the entire school community.

Congratulations to Erika Rios on this remarkable accomplishment!

Date Added: 4/9/2025