Two Valley Stream Central High School student-artists have been recognized in the prestigious 2025 Long Island’s Best exhibition at the Heckscher Museum of Art. Central’s Alfonso “AJ” Castillo, and South’s Caitlyn Gordon were among just 78 selected artists from 455 submissions to showcase their work in the exhibition, which runs from April 6 through May 25.
The students were further honored at the Long Island’s Best awards ceremony on April 9, where AJ earned two distinguished awards: an Honorable Mention in the juried competition and the Adelphi University’s “For the Love of Art” scholarship, granting him admission to their exclusive high school academy. Caitlyn won Fourth Place in the Stan Brodsky Scholarship Award category.
Long Island’s Best is one of the region’s most celebrated student art showcases, highlighting exceptional young artists from across Nassau and Suffolk counties.
South’s Caitlyn Gordon and her artwork.
Central’s Alfonso “AJ” Castillo and his artwork.