TWO GIFTED SENIORS AT BRIDGEWATER-RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL HONORED WITH DISTINGUISHED GOVERNOR'S AWARDS IN ARTS EDUCATION

Alexander Lu admitted that he “thinks of absolutely nothing” when he performs on stage. Crystal Zhang, in turn, revealed that she is focused “on my vision that I create and then I paint.”These two Bridgewater-Raritan High School seniors may offer different strategies, but their results—--and elite awards—-certainly match. Alexander and Crystal share a distinguished honor—--they are the recipients of the 43rd annual New Jersey Governor’s Awards in Arts Education for the 2022-2023 school year.

They were accompanied by their teachers, family and a school district official when they received their prestigious honors at a ceremony for the New Jersey Governor’s Awards in Arts Education on Friday, June 2, at The College of New Jersey in Ewing. Alexander, who plays the double bass as a member of Bridgewater-Raritan High School’s famed Orchestra, was honored on All-State Orchestra. Crystal, who is a student in Elizabeth Stutzman’s AP Studio Art class at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, received the Student Achievement award for her gifts in visual art. They established history with their awards.

“We never had a Governor’s Award winner in my department, never in my 25 years,’ claimed Hsiao-Yu Lin Griggs, who is the high school’s Orchestra Director. 

Ms. Stutzman, who will retire at the conclusion of this school year after a brilliant and passionate career at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, also shared a historical fact.“In the almost 20 years I have worked at Bridgewater-Raritan High School, this is only the second time we had an artist honored with this award,” Ms. Stutzman reported.Ms. Stutzman explained the significance of the Governor’s Award.“The Governor’s Award is perhaps the highest award we have to recognize student achievement in the arts in New Jersey,” Ms. Stutzman said,In a letter written by the New Jersey Governor, Philip Murphy, that was published in the program distributed at the ceremony on June 2, he stated that “Each year student award recipients are selected by national and statewide organizations for their exemplary work in creative writing, speech, dance, music, theater and visual arts, as well as for their exceptional commitment and contributions to arts education."Ms. Stutzman also went on to reveal how each of these two students made their way to the awards dinner at The College of New Jersey.“Crystal was nominated by the Art Administrators of New Jersey (AANJ) to receive this award and Alexander was nominated by the New Jersey Music Educators Association (NJMEA) for All-State Orchestra.”During the ceremony, Alexander performed in front of “300 plus people” while Crystal’s artwork was featured in a gallery show.Alexander played a rendition of “Double Bass Concerto” that was composed by the legendary conductor, Serge Koussevitzky. Alexander revealed that it was “pretty electric and did not feel nervous.”When I am playing by myself, I can play soft or loud,” he said. ”When you are not playing with others, you have more flexibility to express yourself.”This young maestro also spoke about how he prepares and is tuned in before he performs and how he is tuned out when he is actually performing.“I think first how I am going to play,” Alexander said. “Then once I begin to play, I go through the motions, and whatever comes out, comes out.”

“On stage, I think of absolutely nothing.”Crystal was recognized by the Art Administrators of New Jersey when it held its 35h annual Emerging Artist High School Art Exhibition in January at Kean University. Her self-portrait which featured colorful, beaming light on her face was titled “BOKEH” which earned her the nomination that led to the Governor's Awards Student Achievement Award.

Her portfolio that was involved in her nomination contained 10 of her more moving and resounding pieces of work.

She went into detail on how she approaches her artwork.“I am a very motivated-based artist,’ she said. “ I am very inspired, and for me, I gain a vision then I create and then I paint.”She continued on how she feels once her work is done—or almost done.“I am very clear on what I want to do and when it comes to life before me, it is very satisfying,” Crystal reflected. ”But if I end up with a last-second addition once I thought I am done, and I add highlights and finishing touches, then I am doubly satisfied.”Connection Magazine was very satisfied with one of her paintings and placed it on the cover of the Bridgewater and Somerville edition for the months of May and June.

Both students were “honored” to be invited to the ceremony on June 2. 

According to the New Jersey State Council of the Arts, the 43rd anniversary featured awards presented to 20 educators and 100 students from throughout the state.

The New Jersey State Council of the Arts stated that “the award program began in 1980 to promote awareness and appreciation of the arts, recognizing the creativity, talent and leadership of the award winners.” Ms. Stutzman pointed out all of the organizations that are involved.“The Governor's Awards event is a partnership of the Arts ED NJ, the Department of Education, Art Pride New Jersey Foundation, The Department of State, and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment of the Arts,” she said.“I was blown away during the ceremony,” Alexander admitted. “ They had dance groups and film presentations. It was certainly quite vibrant.”

“I was very surprised that I was nominated since it was very selective,” Crystal said.Joining Ms. Stutzman and Ms. Griggs at the ceremony at The College of New Jersey, were family and friends as well as Lanfang "Lucy" Li, who is a member of the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District Board of Education. 

Dan Hemberger, the Bridgewater-Raritan High School Principal, applauded Alexander and Crystal as their scholastic careers have now come to a close while their future appears to be bright.“Alexander and Crystal have excelled during their years at Bridgewater-Raritan High School and truly deserve the statewide recognition,” Principal Hemberger stated. 

“They are passionate students and have bright futures ahead, especially within the arts. They have represented the Bridgewater-Raritan community well.”Matt McCarthy, the school district's Supervisor of Arts Education, also shared his admiration."These awards were well deserved," Mr. McCarthy said. "Both of these young people have taken full advantage of the resources here in Bridgewater-Raritan and worked extremely hard. I am glad that their efforts and abilities were recognized in such a prestigious way."Once both seniors receive their high school diplomas at graduation on Thursday, June 22, they will prepare for their collegiate careers.Alexander will enroll at Cornell University and will major in Nutrition.“I will audition for the orchestra at Cornell,” he confirmed.

Crystal will head south to Georgia and attend Emory University. She intends to concentrate on Psychology and Political Science.“I will continue with art,” she said. And they will leave a memorable imprint at Bridgewater-Raritan High School.

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