Carle Place High School senior Ava Kang has been selected as a Merit Award recipient for the 2026–2027 Long Island Scholar-Artist Awards, presented by the Long Island Arts Alliance.

Ava is among 40 students from 32 high schools across Nassau and Suffolk counties recognized by the Long Island Arts Alliance for their outstanding achievements in the arts. Each year, 20 students are honored as Scholar-Artists and 20 receive Merit Awards across five disciplines: dance, media arts, music, theater and visual arts. With this year’s cohort, the program celebrates its 20th class and a total of 800 students recognized throughout its 20-year history.

The Scholar-Artist Awards recognize high school seniors who demonstrate excellence in both academics and the arts and are considered among the region’s most prestigious honors for high school artists. Ava was recognized in the media arts category and will be honored at the 2027 Scholar-Artist Awards Ceremony in spring 2027. As part of the recognition, she will also be featured by Newsday in June 2027.

“Ava is an exceptional young artist who has been a key member of our fine arts department,” said Mr. Michael Limone, district director for the fine and performing arts. “We are so happy to be able to offer her the ability to expand her media arts education at the Long Island High School for the Arts.”

The Carle Place School District congratulates Ava on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates her hard work, creativity and outstanding contributions to the arts.