Smithtown East's Sirota Wins Art Competition

Smithtown High School East sophomore Ilysa Sirota won first place in an art competition, sponsored by the Shanti Fund, for her piece depicting this year’s theme of peace and security.

Her work was chosen as the best high school entry from hundreds submitted from more than 20 districts across Long Island.

Suffolk County executive Steve Bellone presented Sirota with her award during a ceremony at the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge, with her drawing teacher, Tim Needles, attending as well. She was also given a gift certificate for $146, Mahatma Gandhi’s age if he were still alive. The Shanti Fund is a charitable group dedicated to promoting Gandhi’s ideals and his philosophy of peace. Her work will also appear in the fund’s 2016 calendar.

Photo: Smithtown High School East student Ilysa Sirota won first place in an art competition sponsored by the Shanti Fund. She is shown here with Smithtown High School East drawing teacher Tim Needles.

Photo courtesy of Smithtown Central School District.