West Windsor-Plainsboro board recognizes student arts and music achievements

The West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District Board of Education heard updates and recognitions for arts, music and student activities during its meeting.

Student representative Anna Chen (High School South) reported spring-sports and extracurricular highlights, saying the boys tennis team is undefeated and that the boys volleyball program raised $3,419 for Joey’s Little Angels through its annual Serve Up Hope game. Chen also said a coach and teacher raised $720 for the Saint Baldrick’s Foundation. "We're so proud of the students for speaking out for other unheard voices," Chen said, describing a student-organized walkout she said drew about 1,000 participants protesting ICE and WWP.

The student reports also noted that 165 students qualified for a Seal of Biliteracy exam led by Dr. Ashley Warren and that music, theater and club competitions produced multiple recognitions and visits to events such as the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.

Jeff Santoro, supervisor of fine and performing arts (K–12), presented a roster of student accomplishments across visual art and music. Santoro described the Green Stitch project — co-created by High School South senior Rachel Berliner and Village School art teacher Emily Soleil — which he said produced roughly 1,100 clothing donations that were converted into tote bags as a sustainability and community-service project. Santoro said the project extended into Village’s library as an installation and that the collaborators were featured in School Arts Magazine.

Santoro also recognized students accepted into regional and state honors ensembles administered by the Central Jersey Music Educators Association and the New Jersey Music Educators Association. He noted that one student, Ashani Banjari, placed second in the NJMEA young composers competition and that the composition will receive its local premiere by the High School North band on April 30. Santoro thanked teacher Jesse Arginziana and other district staff for supporting student performances.

The presentations emphasized participation and service across grade levels: Santoro asked that students in attendance come forward for brief recognition and asked the public to visit the West Windsor–Plainsboro Art Show reception later that evening.

The board took no formal action on the presentations; they were given as acknowledgments and community updates.