By Beth David, Editor
Jacob Cabral may have graduated from Fairhaven High School, but he is still making his alma mater proud. He has won the Rising Star Secondary Student Award for 2017 from the Mass. Art Education Association.
In its notification to Mr. Cabral, the MAEA wrote: “Your passion and dedication to the arts and creative learning make a powerful impact on our community! Thank you for the great work you do in the field and to your contribution to teaching and learning in Massachusetts.”
Mr. Cabral’s mother, Jane Cabral, said the her son is an “amazing artist and an even more incredible person.”
She said Jacob’s father has been battling serious health issues for the past two years, and it has been tough on Jacob.
“But he has never lost his passion for art,” said Ms. Cabral.
She also gave a shout-out to the FHS art department. Art teacher Jamie Lynch nominated Jacob for the award. Both Ms. Lynch and FHS art teacher Christine Neville were on hand when Mr. Cabral received the award on November 11 at the MAEA conference.
Mr. Cabral, who is a freshman at Mass. College of Art, plans to major in Art Education and follow in the footsteps of his art teachers at FHS, according to the program book bio.
Fairhaven High School art teachers Christine Neville (LEFT) and Jamie Lynch (RIGHT) celebrate with Jacob Cabral after he receives the Rising Star Secondary Student Award for 2017 from the Mass. Art Education Association at an awards ceremony on November 11. Submitted photo.
He said he had forgotten about filling out the application in the summer until right before he moved to Mass. Art.
“My teacher had texted, emailed and called me all in a span of 10 minutes early one morning to congratulate me because she was notified that I won,” said Mr. Cabral in an email. “I was surprised and very excited.”
He said Ms. Lynch then submitted some of his artwork to show during the awards ceremony.
“I am very grateful for this award because it is a true testament to the quality of students that leave the FHS art program,” wrote Mr. Cabral. “The teachers conditioned us to be working artists in a time where many might question the legitimacy of being an artist. I am excited to test my limits and grow as an artist and this award reassured me that I will continue to grow and change.”
He said both Ms. Lynch and Ms. Neville “are big inspirations.”
Mr. Cabral is from Fairhaven and graduated from FHS this spring.
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