Chris Prainito, a Kennedy senior and Class of 2022 valedictorian, was selected to be a member of the All-National Symphony Orchestra.

“After facing no NYSSMA evaluation and feedback in 2020, Chris pressed forward and prepared another solo for his All-State audition last spring,” explained band director Walter Avellaneda said. “A pre-recorded solo is much more difficult to produce because of the amount of things one becomes aware of in their playing.”

After making the New York All-State Band, Prainito is only the second band student since the program’s inception to receive this honor. It is the highest musical experience a student can apply for in the country.

“It is stories like Chris' that I will talk about in my rehearsals for many years to come,” Avellaneda added. “I am so proud of Chris and will continue to share his stories with students the rest of my career.”

A viewing party is scheduled for March 2022.

Victoria O’Shea, a student at Wellington C. Mepham High School, was also named All-National as a vocal alternate.