Massapequa High School senior Ashley Markiewicz, an art student at Nassau BOCES Long Island High School for the Arts (LIHSA), has an exceptionally impressive body of work. This year, four distinguished art schools accepted her portfolio and encouraged her to apply as an early action candidate. She is also eligible for numerous scholarships.
Markiewicz wowed admissions representatives from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, the Maryland Institute College of Art, and both the School of Visual Arts and the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan. Last spring, she earned a perfect score at the New York State Teachers Association portfolio review, where student work is reviewed and judged at various sites throughout the state. Markiewicz received the highest possible score.
“Ashley Markiewicz is a highly motivated, industrious and hard-working student,” said LIHSA Art Instructor Rae Raff. “She puts her heart and soul into her art. The quality of her work has advanced to an outstanding level. Ashley is an excellent role model for her classmates who aspire, like her, to grow and develop as fully as possible as artists.
“Ashley is an extremely enthusiastic and passionate young woman who loves to learn and talk about visual art,” Principal Dr. AJ Hepworth said of the talented young artist. “She captures the conversation immediately in most settings while making you feel welcome. Her enigmatic personality comes across in her work through her choice of colors, media and attention to the smallest details.”
Markiewicz, who hopes to become a professional illustrator or animator, said her time at LIHSA has prepared her for success.
“The atmosphere here is truly inspiring. I’ve gotten such a great foundation for college and career. My teachers are wonderful. They’ve taught me so much. They always push me to do more; they really motivate me. We get such individualized attention,” she said. “I see everyone around me excelling and when I look at my old stuff I’m amazed at far I’ve advanced. This is the best high school I could imagine.”
