MAHOPAC, N.Y—Mahopac High School senior Maya Rejman has achieved a rare distinction: a perfect score on the AP Art and Design portfolio exam.
In addition to this national-level accomplishment, Rejman earned a Silver Key in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards’ portfolio category—one of the top honors for high school artists.
“A perfect score on the AP Art and Design exam is extraordinarily rare,” said Kaitlin O’Brien, Mahopac’s AP Studio Art teacher. “Maya’s work stood out not only for its technical skill but for the depth of emotion and meaning behind it. Her talent, dedication, and unique perspective set her apart.”
Rejman’s award-winning portfolio draws on her experience as a first-generation Polish immigrant. Last year, she explored themes of family, cultural foods, and the distance from extended relatives. This year, her focus has shifted.
“I am focusing mostly on the effect of compulsive heterosexuality on my identity as a queer person,” Rejman said.
Her work combines strong technical skill with deeply personal themes. One of her most formative pieces, a 2-by-3-foot oil painting titled "Projector," challenged her artistic endurance. Getting the proportions on her side profile right proved difficult—but rewarding.
“While I consider art to be an escape, a painting session can sometimes be daunting to set up, as building my palette and priming my canvas takes a lot of time,” Rejman said. “The most challenging part was definitely finding the time and energy to keep creating.”
Mahopac High School’s visual arts program plays a central role in supporting student achievement. The department features a studio drawing and painting room with professional-grade drafting tables and easels, a ceramics studio with four throwing wheels, a traditional darkroom with 12 enlargers, and a fully equipped digital lab for design, illustration, and multimedia work.
“Maya's achievements are a remarkable reflection of both her talent and the exceptional quality of our robust visual arts program,” said Principal Patrick Keevins. “We’re proud to offer students the resources and guidance they need to reach this level of excellence.”
Rejman will attend Boston University’s College of Fine Arts, where she plans to minor in art and is considering a major in business.
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