At-risk students honored at bergenPAC
Monday, May 5, 2008
Last updated: Monday May 5, 2008, EDT 7:57 AM
BY KEVIN G. DEMARRAIS
STAFF WRITER

ENGLEWOOD — Four years ago, Julia Sylvester was a troubled teen, hanging out with the wrong crowd and facing an uncertain future.
Today, thanks to parental guidance and a discovery of her artistic talents, Sylvester is a poised high school senior, looking forward to college and a career in design.
That future was made a bit easier Sunday when the 18-year-old Teaneck resident received a $1,500 scholarship from the Youth Consultation Services at its fifth annual Blossoms Art Exhibit and Awards Presentation at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood.
Sylvester, who attends Fort Lee Education Center, expects to use the money to study interior design at Bergen Community College. The other finalists were Stephanie Torres, a senior at the Morris TEC school in Morristown, and Zyasia Latham of Independence High in Irvington.
Eighth-graders Joseph Salgado of Passaic, who attends George Washington School, and Julio Valdez of the May Academy in Jersey City, were also honored in their age division.
The schools are operated by the non-profit YCS for at-risk and special needs children.
"It took me a while," Sylvester said. "I was struggling, but I'll make it. I turned it around big time."
Her award-winning entry included original poetry, photography and drawings. The combined media helped her focus and the poetry "helps me get the anger out," she said.
Sylvester gave much of the credit to her foster parents — soon to be legal parents, when the adoption process is complete — Janice and Walter Russ.
"She has come a long way," Walter Russ said as he snapped photo after photo of his award-winning daughter. "I see a lot of the stuff in her poetry that she seems to have encountered early in her childhood."
Salgado, whose entry included a picture of graffiti, said he likes to draw "crazy stuff and it came out nice." He said he prefers the permanence of his art to the more common outdoor version.
"Why write it on walls?"
Heather Molnar, Salgado's art teacher, said her student is inspired by street art and other forms of public community art, which brings an edgy reality to his work.
"He has given it his own flair," Molnar said. "He really stood out."
The awards were presented to a standing-room-only crowd at the bergenPAC's cabaret room by Faith Ringgold of Englewood, a prominent African-American artist and children's book author.
She encouraged the students to chase their dreams, just as she did. "Reach out and grab them."
The Blossoms Art Exhibit was created five years ago by the YCS Education Division to share with the public the interesting works of art created by students who have complex behavioral and emotional challenges.
The exhibit, which reflects the students' personal style and abilities, will be on display at bergenPAC through May 21.
E-mail: demarrais@northjersey.com

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