Ridgefield Academy Grad Is 'Tremendous Artist ... Kind Beyond Measure'

Ridgefield, CT — Star Students are found in classrooms, on concert and theater stages and at debate lecterns, and out in the community doing good things to make life better for all of us.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize Star Students, and we’re working to tell the stories of these outstanding kids to their neighbors.

This submission comes from Ridgefield Academy who nominated Mateo Soni of Ridgefield, Connecticut.

Star local student’s name

Mateo Soni

What grade is your star local student in?

Grade 8

How do you know the star local student?

Student at Ridgefield Academy

Why do you believe the star local student should be recognized?

Mateo, a 2024 graduate of Ridgefield Academy, is an accomplished artist. In spring of 2023, he was featured in RPAC Academy’s student art exhibition, The Artist’s Path. His work was proudly displayed at the front of the gallery and visible from Main Street in Ridgefield. Mateo was also awarded First Place in the Teen Artist category of the Weir Farm Art Contest for his piece, Spider Flower at Weir Farm. In the spring of 2024, he collaborated with artist Jesse Navarro and another RPAC student to design one of the shoes as part of the KICKS Public Art Event on Main Street in Ridgefield. During Ridgefield Academy's graduation ceremony, he shared about his artistic journey and said, "Art has been the one constant in my life: from drawing on whiteboards in kindergarten to now having my art featured in magazines. After multiple strenuous months of developing my skills during quarantine, I learned that if I had just given up on all my art back then I would never become the artist I am today." Mateo's art teacher Lisa Liebowitz describes him as a "tremendous artist and smart student, but so much more. Mateo is kind beyond measure, and I am sure that everyone who knows him calls him a friend."

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the star local student?

His tenacity and kindness

Related: See Mateo Soni's artwork "Spider Flower at Weir Farm"

Congratulations on your achievements, and all of our best wishes to you in the future, Mateo!

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.