The Mountain has come alive this spring with the artistic talents of Storm King students. April’s calendar was brimming with events showcasing their creativity nurtured in SKS’ visual and performing arts classes. Highlights included the Spring Music Recital, a special Senior Music Recital at the Howland Center in Beacon, New York, the student art show at 2 Alice’s Coffee Lounge, and the unveiling of the Builder’s Club sculpture, “Life’s Little Ups and Downs,” erected in front of Ogden Hall.

The pinnacle of excitement arrived during Spring Arts Weekend, as the artwork from 2 Alice’s returned to campus for the SKS Student Art Show. Visual Arts Chair John Carruthers was delighted by the community’s enthusiastic response to the event: “It’s very gratifying to witness the talent and creativity of our students come to life, and then be able to give them multiple opportunities to showcase their work.”

2024 Art Award Recipients:

Drawing: Emmett J. ‘27 – “Asian Landscape”
Painting:  Jiann L. ‘26 – “Great Gatsby”
3-D:  Evangeline G. ‘26 -”Human Rights”
Most Creative: (Tie) Aitanna G. ‘24 – “Model Skinny”, Aurora R. ‘24 – “Dress”
Best in Show: Rebecca V. ‘24 – “Streets of Barcelo

Adding to the festivities, Storm King’s English Department hosted their eighth annual Poetry Festival, where young creative writers were provided a platform to showcase their poetry works.  Judged by published poets Joanna Solfrian and Zoe Ryder White, the contest attracted 180 submissions from 85 students across 14 schools in the region from Maine to western New York. After careful deliberation, 20 finalist poems, including four from Storm King students, and three standout pieces were selected.

The festival commenced with a warm reception at SKS’ Walter Reade Jr. Theatre, where poets and their families mingled with the judges. Head of School Jonathan Lamb kicked off the evening by extending gratitude to the participants and their mentors. He pondered on the timeless question, “What is Poetry?” and reflected on Horace’s musings from 65 B.C. and emphasized the festival’s role in witnessing the creative journey of young poets.

The program’s highlight featured the judges’ reading and commentary on the winning poems, with poets joining them on stage. English teacher Robert MacSwain also intrigued the audience with a reading of Ekphrastic poetry, weaving descriptive verses inspired by art.

English Department Chair Dr. Alex-Finn Atkins was also very pleased with this year’s events: “Our poetry contest drew so many excellent submissions this year. The judges did an amazing job and we have a lot of positive feedback so far about the event.”

Many thanks go out to the finalists and their families from other schools that traveled to The Storm King School to join us for the event; to their English and humanities teachers who encouraged them to participate; and to all of the schools and poets who submitted their work to the contest this year. We hope to see many of them back again next spring!

2024 Poetry Contest Finalists

“An American Welcome” – Nia C., Dana Hall School
“Waiting for Ghosts to be Excised from my Chest” – Ksenia M., Emma Willard School
“I am from” – Shannon M., Greens Farms Academy
“Interview Question” – Sagata D., The Groton School
“Bis”- Isabela P., Rye Country Day School
“From the perspective of my childhood best friend’s home” – Hailey J., Buckingham Browne and Nichols
“home, 1998” – Keya M., Emma Willard School
“Chase and I” – Josie C., Kents Hill School
“Like a Skull in a Flower Garden” – Adrian Y., The Storm King School
“Grown Up” – Winston W., Millbrook School
“Girls at Play” – Madison S., The Groton School
(Ekphrasis inspired by “The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit” by John Sing-
er Sargent) “Ode to the Old Mountain” – William C., The Groton School
(Ekphrasis inspired by “Mont Sainte-Victoire” by Paul Cézanne)
“Dream” – Richeal A., The Storm King School
“The Honeycrisp Cycle” – NaRae T., The Storm King School
“The Changing of the Seasons” – Ashlynn B., Newburgh Enlarged City School District
“London” – Jack T., Greens Farms Academy
“Grief” – Jessica S., Kents Hill School
“Vigilate” – Emma M., Kents Hill School
“The Public Poem” – Camryn W., Millbrook School
“Her” – Noelle F., The Gow School
“Don’t look around” – Dantia S., The Storm King School
“Wizened, creased, worn, he” – Anel C., Millbrook School