At the annual Garden Party at Oheka Castle, two Walt Whitman High School students became the recipients of the Otto Kahn Award; Quinlan Sellars in performing arts and Zimo (Monica) Zhong in fine arts. This award is given to selected high school seniors throughout Huntington who are exceptionally talented in some form of the fine arts.

Quinlan Sellars is a 2022 graduate of Walt Whitman High School and will be attending the Manhattan School of Music in the fall majoring in Vocal Performance. At WWHS, Quinlan participated in Walt Whitman Voices/Select Chorus, the All-County Chorus and NYSSMA Voice Competitions. Ken Friese, Quinlan’s vocal teacher and coach, said of Quinlan, “I recommend Quinlan very highly for the Otto Kahn Award with no reservations whatsoever. He is a joy to know and I believe the best is yet to come!” Gene Forman, Quinlan’s coach at From Stage to Screen, said of him, “Quinlan has my most enthusiastic recommendation to receive an Otto Kahn Award. He has shown a strong dedication to the performing arts and I am confident he has an exciting future ahead of him.” Quinlan said of himself: “I realized my passion for singing while I was a child watching the 2007 ‘Hairspray’ movie. I find it very interesting that Otto Kahn entertained so many legendary performers at his home. To think that Enrico Caruso performed right near my house!”

Zimo Zhong is a 2022 graduate of Walt Whitman High School and will be attending Pratt Institute in the fall majoring in Graphic Design/Illustration. At WWHS, Zimo participated in the Digital Arts Club, the National Art Honor Society (Social Media Manager) and the Interact Club (Graphic Design Manager). Nicole Guido, Zimo's teacher in her Studio in Art class said of Zimo, "Monica's artwork is absolutely outstanding. Her unique style and natural ability to draw from life frequently produces amazing results. Please consider Monica for the Otto Kahn Award, she is a truly deserving student." Erica C. Raji, WWHS Art Teacher said of Zimo, "Miss Zhong is an incredible artist with tremendous talent, drive and heart. She is a gift to teach and I will miss her warmth, wisdom and positive spirit that she gives to everything she does. I know an exciting and successful future lies ahead for Miss Zhong. She will make a huge impact on this world.”

Quinlan and Zimo are both very talented in what they do as artists. They have brought joy to so many people through their performances and artwork. Both of them are very deserving of this award and have made the South Huntington family very proud. Congratulations, Quinlan and Zimo for this wonderful recognition!

Photo Gallery

WWHS teacher Mr. Frank Yolango played along with his Chamber Orchestra on this beautiful evening at Oheka Castle.

Congratulations to Zimo Zhong on receiving the Otto Kahn Award for being one of Walt Whitman’s exceptionally talented visual artists. We wish Zimo the best of luck as she continues her studies at Pratt in the fall.

Congratulations to Quinlan Sellars on receiving the Otto Kahn Award for his exceptional talent as a vocalist for Walt Whitman High School. We wish Quinlan the best of luck as he continues his studies at the Manhattan School of Music in the fall.

The Walt Whitman Jazz Band enjoyed the evening while performing at the garden party under Band Director Mr. Matt Hoffman.