Opportunities to Thrive at US

2/15/2023

As students returned to school in January, we were excited to learn of the 83 students who earned honors in this year’s Scholastic Art & Writing Awards program, an annual event enabling students to showcase their writings, paintings, photos, films, and designs.

The accomplishments of these young men offer vivid reminders of all that is possible when students have a variety of opportunities to learn and grow. Your support for our Annual Fund – your commitment to attracting and retaining excellent faculty and promoting their efforts to develop rich learning experiences – ensures our ability to offer a wide range of pathways to US boys as they discover and develop their talents and achieve incredible results. One example of the impact of your support is the artwork of senior, Jay Lewis. Working with veteran art teacher, Mr. Enrique de la Mata, Jay’s submissions included work completed using one of our Art Department’s new Microsoft Surface Pro Tablets, a tool "allowing for easy editing, whose portability enables students to work in the studio or out on our beautiful campus.”

Jay Lewis earned multiple awards, including a Gold Key – the program’s highest honor – for his self-portrait. According to Mr. De la Mata, Jay began “as a skilled traditional painter” whose “growth as an artist accelerated when he was introduced to the Surface Tablet, as he was able to borrow the tablet over weekends and during the summer, dedicating countless hours to perfecting his digital paintings.”

Reflecting on Jay’s accomplishments, Mr. de la Mata notes he still “firmly believes in the value of traditional hand drawing and painting as the foundation of learning the craft,” but adds that “with the advent of technology such as the Surface tablet it is possible to capture that tactile sensation” that is so essential. As a teacher and mentor, Mr. de la Mata emphasized, "I am excited to offer my students the opportunity to explore this new medium and see where their creativity takes them.”

Jay’s remarkable work and Mr. de la Mata’s guidance offer a clear reminder: When our school community comes together to support the US Annual Fund, we enable our talented teachers and coaches to enhance their classrooms and programs, giving US boys countless opportunities to thrive.

Support of the Annual Fund makes the incredible possible. Thank you.

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