In keeping with the season, the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) recently awarded 10 $1,000 scholarships to some of the island's brightest young musical talents that graduated this month.
“These students have not only shown talent and passion, but they’ve made the significant decision to continue their journey by majoring in music or theater in college,” said Tom Needham, LIMEHOF Vice Chairman.
LIMEHOF tabbed the following students for this most special distinction: Eden Yiya Hu (Wading River, Shoreham Wading River High School, Violin); Elliot Jaklitsch (Port Jefferson Station, Comsewogue High School, Cello/Horn); Justin Lowenhar (Greenlawn, Harborfields High School, Musical Theater- Tenor); William MacIntosh (Farmingville, St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School in West Islip, Violin); Maya McCarthy (Rocky Point, Rocky Point High School, Mezzo Voice, Violin, Piano); Romy Park (Plainview, Plainview-Old Bethpage High School, Viola); Ashley Retzlaff (Freeport, Freeport High School, Mezzo Soprano, Musical Theater); DeAndre Simmons (Huntington, Huntington High School, Violin); Mackenzie Sweeney (Center Moriches, Center Moriches High School, French Horn); Alyssa Wong (Great Neck, Great Neck South High School, Musical Theater).
“One of the things I like to tell the students is that many of the artists we’ve inducted started their musical careers when they were their age, and that’s very true,” Needham added. “So a lot of these kids we’re giving scholarships to, could in fact one day become future hall of fame inductees themselves.”
Three of the honorees performed on the LIMEHOF stage. MacIntosh and Simmons showcased their violin skills, while Wong sang “Dyin’ Ain’t so Bad” from “Bonnie & Clyde.”
“It really impresses us to hear and learn about the commitment of these students here on Long Island,” said Paul Graf, member of the LIMEHOF Education Advisory Committee.
“Thousands of students are graduating this month and here we found eleven that are above and beyond. It was exciting to meet them, talk with them and learn about their lives and their commitment to music and music education.”
LIMEHOF also awarded its third annual Pat DeRosa award—named for the late local legend, of Huntington, who cracked the Guinness Book of World Records in 2018 as the “World’s Oldest Professional Saxophone Player.” He was 101—and still playing—in 2022.
Athansia Kacharba of Bay Shore took home this year’s Pat DeRosa prize for her saxophone and vocal efforts.
Founded in 2004, LIMEHOF is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the idea that Long Island’s musical and entertainment heritage is an important resource to be celebrated and preserved for future generations.
For more information about their scholarships and educational programs, visit https://www.limusichalloffame.org/scholarshipsgrants/