The LHS START and SCOPE clubs both recently hosted paint nights. The START (Students Taking Active Roles Together) club, hosted a paint night on Dec. 17. The night was open to all LHS students, parents, and community members. Those who attended the event were invited to enjoy a fun-filled night of pizza and painting. For the price of $35 per ticket, each person was given a canvas and paint. Junior Aleeza Khuram led the paint night and instructed attendees in painting a snowy winter scene. 

“Paint night made me feel super connected to the community and other students at LHS,” said senior Abby Almonte, “and it was an incredible way to fundraise for the START club.” Almonte also explained that the hard work the START club put into making the night a reality did not go unnoticed; she shared how impressed she was as she took notice of all the planning that went into the event, including the purchasing of the supplies, food, and drinks. 

When asked if she would attend another paint night, Almonte said that she would certainly go again. Lastly, Almonte shares that she strongly suggests other clubs plan paint nights to fundraise, saying, “I definitely encourage all students to promote events like these and spread the word to family and friends because it was such a fun experience that also helps Lynbrook as a community.” 

“The purpose of the fundraiser was to have a family fun night painting and raising money for a great cause,” said START club advisor Benedict Tienibe. The club was successful in its mission for the night, raising $300 that was donated to the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD). Tieniber confirmed that this will become an annual event for the club. 

The SCOPE club hosted its paint night on Jan. 20. The SCOPE club raises money to send underprivileged children with special needs to sleepaway camp. Just like the previous paint night, students, parents, and members of the community were invited to enjoy a night of painting amongst their peers for the price of $25 per ticket. This time, senior Amintta Ragavanis taught the class. The painting they were instructed to paint was a sunset mountain landscape. 

Amintta shared that she enjoyed seeing all the different interpretations of the lesson. “I loved seeing how everyone took the same set of instructions and paint and made each canvas into their own,” Ragavanis said.

Sophomore and SCOPE club member Katie Sharkey shared her experience at the paint night noting, “It was a great way to hang out with friends and family.” Sharkey also said that she would attend the next paint night. 

Senior and SCOPE Co-president Emma Ward said, “We were able to raise a lot of money, and it was a very fun night.” She also said how she feels the night allowed for SCOPE’s message to reach many more people. The club raised $510. 

When asked if this will be an annual event for SCOPE, Ward said, “ I hope so! My goal is for the club to continue and for people at LHS to support SCOPE after I graduate.”

Both paint nights were successful in their missions of connecting the community whilst raising money for their cause.