Maya MacCarthy, a soon to be graduate from Rocky Point High School, was one of ten scholarship recipients from the prestigious Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame. She was honored on June 22.  The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame awarded the scholarships to ten graduating students from across Long Island planning to major in music performance, music education and/or theatre. 

“These students have not only shown talent and passion, but they’ve made the significant decision to continue their journey by majoring in music or theatre in college,” said Tom Needham, LIMEHOF’s Vice Chairman. “It really impresses us to hear and learn about the commitment of these students here on Long Island,” said Paul Graf, member of LIMEHOF Education Advisory Committee. “Thousands of students are graduating this month and here we found ten that are above and beyond. It was exciting to meet them, talk with them and learn about their lives and their commitment to music and music education.”

Maya, who is a member of the High School Chorus, Orchestra, Jazz Band and active in various theatre and drama productions, plans to study Music Education at Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY.

Rocky Point High School Chorus Director Jessica Spitz said, “I am so proud of Maya for earning this scholarship. It is very well deserved! She has shown incredible dedication to her music and academic studies, and she has been a huge asset to all the music ensembles and musical theatre performances during her time in the Rocky Point schools. Maya will be missed very much next year, but she is ready for the nest chapter in her journey to becoming a music educator. I am so excited for her, and I know she is going to accomplish great things as a music teacher!”
 
A congratulatory message from Rocky Point Elementary Music Department chairperson and recent inductee into the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame Mr. Craig Knapp read: “I’m very proud of Maya and it was an honor to attend this special scholarship ceremony. For many years, Maya has made it her dream to become a music educator. Her passion for this quest extends beyond her time as a student in the music classroom. Throughout her time as a middle school and high school student, Maya always made herself available and took the time to return to Joseph A. Edgar Intermediate School to assist my younger choral students who were working on NYSSMA vocal solos, as well as students involved in the JAE musicals. In fact, Maya has singlehandedly choreographed the entire elementary school musical for my students from when she was a sixth grade student right up until her senior year. For my induction into the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame as “Educator of Note,” the LIMEHOF committee requested for me to have a student speak during my ceremony. It was an incredibly easy and swift decision for me when I invited Maya to speak on my behalf. Her maturity, sincerity and passion for music will take her very far. One thing about Maya, she will always be the hardest worker in the room. I’ve never seen any student who possesses her passion and drive. I have no doubt that she will be very successful in the music education field. The Rocky Point Music Department is very proud of Maya, and her achievement should be celebrated. Congratulations Maya!”