William Floyd High School senior Mike Amodeo has been chosen to have his artwork grace the cover of the 2025 yearbook.
Mike, who has also been selected as the William Floyd “Artist of the Month” for December 2024, is now a two-time selection previously earning this honor as an eighth-grade student at William Paca Middle School.
The theme for the yearbook cover competition was “Beyond Imagination,” which had students brainstorm illustrative and fantastical images to showcase their high school years and what the future may hold.
After thoughtful consideration, Mike came up with the cover-winning idea that merged both past and future. His artwork featured images of students in high school classes and images of future careers sitting side-by-side within a thought bubble emerging from a William Floyd green graduation cap.
The illustration shows how the classes students take at William Floyd can help lead to any career path within their imaginations.
Mike added that he wanted his artwork to be a celebration of William Floyd and specifically focus on the diversity of the classes and people within the district. He used colored pencil as his primary medium to have a variety of different colors that best conveyed this.
“I have had the pleasure of meeting Mike in eighth grade, from Mr. Antenucci's class,” said Theresa Bianco, chairperson, Fine Arts, William Floyd School District.
“He was creating beautiful portraits back then, and that was his passion. After coming up to the high school, he had many opportunities to learn various mediums and styles. I have watched him perfect his techniques in line work, using color pencil and pastels.”
Mike has also received praise for his ability to make a statement with his work.
“As a senior, Mike has found his visual voice and what he wants to say with his artwork,” added Mrs. Bianco. “He’s creating pieces that have a deeper meaning and symbolism.”
Mrs. Erika Licausi, a WFHS art teacher that has taught Mike in several of his classes, corroborated this sentiment, stating: “Even in ninth grade, Mike had a clear vision for his artwork. He has always been mature and able to develop concepts.”
Art has been Mike’s passion throughout high school as he’s immersed himself in William Floyd’s selection of art courses, including Animatronic & Creative Design, as well as Fashion Design. His interest in fashion design has led Mike to a profitable endeavor outside of the classroom, in which he designs and sells bleached t-shirts on social media.
As Mike looks ahead to the next phase of his life, he wants to continue to grow his brand as a t-shirt designer and pursue a career in tattoo design.
He’ll be taking tattoo classes at the Noble Art Academy in New York City after graduation. Mike has attended William Floyd schools K-12 including John S. Hobart Elementary School and William Paca Middle School.