Several Fayetteville-Manlius School District students were recently recognized at the 2026 Gala for the Arts, including those who were the first in the state to graduate through a New York state graduation pathway focused on the arts.
The exhibition, held at the Everson Museum of Art in downtown Syracuse on June 16, featured artwork by several Wellwood Middle School and Fayetteville-Manlius High School students, including Julia Albert, Hazel Bazzano, Matthew Brenneck, Sarena Colvin, Sureeta Das, Merey Temirbek, Isabella Umina and Hari Yoganathan. Their creativity, technical skill and artistic voices were showcased alongside student artists from across Central New York
Innovation Recognition Awards
Innovation Recognition Awards were presented to the 2026 officers of the Fayetteville-Manlius National Art Honor Society for their leadership and efforts to strengthen arts engagement and community development throughout the Manlius and Fayetteville communities:
- Kira Coleman
- Sarena Colvin
- Madeline Davidson
- Alyce Ugalde Villarreal
- Hari Yoganathan
Individual Arts Assessment Pathway
During the event, two current students and three graduates were honored as the first students in New York state to graduate through the Individual Arts Assessment Pathway (IAAP), a New York state graduation assessment that allows students to demonstrate artistic growth, achievement and proficiency through a comprehensive portfolio of creative work and reflective writing.
Fayetteville-Manlius was an early adopter of the IAAP, helping to lead the way in arts education and NY Inspires innovative student opportunities across the state.
Honorees
- Sarena Colvin (Class of 2026)
- Annika Dharwadkar (Class of 2025)
- Lela Lugo (Class of 2025)
- Claire Manahan (Class of 2026)
- Jay Shi (Class of 2025)
Hari Yoganathan’s work is featured at the top of the article.