Tags Posts tagged with "Maggie Deegan"

Maggie Deegan

From left, Melissa Negrin-Wiener of Cona Elder Law with contest winners Harry Li, Marjorie Callahan, and Maggie Deegan. Photo courtesy of Cona Elder Law

Cona Elder Law, an estate planning firm based in Melville, recently held its 15th annual “These Colors Don’t Run” art contest at the Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook, featuring work created by elementary, middle, and high school students from nearby schools emphasizing the sacrifices and dedication of our veterans.

The patriotic event brought together veterans, families, and the local community to celebrate creativity and honor the sacrifices of those who served.

From left, Jonathan Spier (LISVH), Michelle Cheslak (LISVH), Melissa Negrin-Wiener (Cona Elder Law), Julie Allegretti (Cona Elder Law), Christina Pecoraro (Cona Elder Law), and Janet Russell (Cona Elder Law)

“We are so happy to work with the State Veterans Home team, who take such wonderful care of their residents,” said Melissa Negrin-Wiener, Senior Partner at Cona Elder Law. “As an elder law attorney, it is a place where I feel I can refer my clients for placement and be one-hundred percent confident that they will receive the care they need.” 

Throughout the afternoon, attendees, staff and residents had the opportunity to view the artwork, meet the winners of the art contest, and listen to a live band. The residents enjoyed the visit and entertainment.

The winning students are Maggie Deegan,  an 11th grader at Harborfields High School in Greenlawn; Marjorie Callahan, a 5th grader at RJO Intermediate School in Kings Park; and Harry Li, a 3rd grader at W.S. Mount Elementary School in Stony Brook.

“Cona Elder Law has a long-standing commitment to serving the needs of veterans, the disabled, and the elderly in our community,” said Jennifer Cona, Founder and Managing Partner of Cona Elder Law. “Through initiatives like today’s art contest, our firm strives to enhance the quality of life for those who have served while fostering multigenerational connection and community.” 

“We are the land of the free because of the brave men and women who have worn the uniform. They made the United States of America the greatest country in the world to live in, and for that, we owe them a debt of gratitude that can never truly be repaid,” said Jonathan Spier, Deputy Director of the Long Island State Veterans Home. 

“I applaud Cona Elder Law for their ongoing efforts to ensure our children understand, appreciate, and honor the sacrifices that veterans have made. Through initiatives like the ‘These Colors Don’t Run’ Art Contest, they are helping the next generation not only remember, but truly appreciate the profound impact of our nation’s heroes.”

Just in time for Halloween, the Huntington Arts Council’s Main Street Gallery will present its 13th annual student exhibition, Nightmare on Main Street, from Oct. 22 to Nov. 9.

According to HAC’s Executive Director Kieran Johnson, this year’s call to student artists in grades 6 to 12 expanded to new districts across both Nassau and Suffolk counties, resulting in submissions from 19 individual schools. 

Each year the Nightmare on Main Street theme takes a different twist. Juror Candido Crespo inspired the students with the following thought-provoking statement.

“Art is a bridge, where cultural symbols dance between the vibrant hues of joy and the chilling shadows of fear. It reveals the soul of a society. Through its forms, we see celebrations of festivals painted in jubilant colors, yet whispers of anxieties told through stories molded by mythology or etched in ancient monuments. … Using the medium of your choice, create a work that exemplifies your culture as a vibrant tapestry. This tapestry should reflect the joys, fears, and traditions that make your community unique.”

Of the 147 pieces submitted by 103 students, Candido chose 47 pieces to be featured in this year’s show. 

“I’m truly honored to have reviewed such exceptional submissions. All the young artists are incredibly talented and have promising futures. The selected works showcase a remarkable combination of skill, effort, and compelling narratives. I eagerly anticipate seeing the exhibition,” he said.

Exhibiting artists include Maxwell Asadourian, Ava Beck, Isabella Bermudez, Eden Bonamassa, Gwen Carfora, Audrey Chen, Jacqueline Chen, Yijia Chen, Maggie Deegan, Shawn Delcasse, Daniela DeLillo, Grace Deng, Pavithra Eswar, Iiyah Fearrington, Madeline Francis, Divya Ganshani, Rebecca Gillon, Alice Hammerquist, Henry Hartmann, Khushpreet Kaur, Yitong Ke, Zahra Khan, Hannah Lee, Wandaly Leo Perez, Caitlin Liu, Liam McGrory-Luikart, Melanie Mejia, Kaitlin Melling, Eva Mena, Amanda Morales, Christopher Murray, Taylor Nappi, Karin Pan, Lillian Pu, Toni Reyes-Sorto, Deanna Santos, Corey Shack, Grace Schoonmaker, Mickayla Sharkey, Kyla Simms, Alivia Stephenson, Maxine Tian, Leah Trope, Thomas Wasylyshyn, Emma Wilck and Sophia Wolinetz. 

The remaining 100 pieces of artwork will be featured in the online gallery at www.huntingtonarts.org.

Huntington Arts Council’s Main Street Gallery, 213 Main Street, Huntington is open from Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Weekends TBD. For more information, call 631-271-8423.