Student Spotlight – Aliyah Lustine

Aliyah Lustine is a Commercial Art student at Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) in Willow Grove and a senior at Cheltenham High School. EASTERN chose Aliyah as its October 2010 Student of the Month. At Cheltenham, she was the October 2008 and October 2010 Student of the Month. Aliyah is already an accomplished photographer and graphic artist, with a growing portfolio of both photography and graphic design work.

 “I have always been interested in some form of art, photography in particular. I decided to try EASTERN for Commercial Art," said Aliyah. “In taking the course, I have discovered that I prefer graphic design as a career, however, I still truly enjoy photography.”

In April, Aliyah will be competing in the SkillsUSA State Competition in Hershey, PA for Employment Application Process, a job interview competition for students with disabilities. Aliyah has had moderate hearing loss since birth. SkillsUSA is a national student organization promoting good citizenship, student leadership, professionalism, teamwork, and recognizes student achievement and excellence. Nicole Mohrey, EASTERN’s Commercial Art instructor, asked Aliyah if she was interested in competing. In preparation for this competition, Aliyah is working on a portfolio including awards, accomplishments, and work experience. She is also practicing by completing job applications. If Aliyah wins in April, then she will move on to the National competition in Kansas City in June.

She has taken on several photography jobs through friends and neighbors, such as, Bat Mitzvahs, art gallery exhibits, and class reunions. She was hired by the Cheltenham Robotics Team to create the logo, flyers and various marketing materials to promote its team. Currently, Aliyah and her mother, Emily Ennulat-Lustine, are collaboratively working on the playbill, posters, and all promotional materials for Cheltenham High School’s production of Guys and Dolls coming mid-April.

At Cheltenham High School, Aliyah is actively involved in field hockey, and is a member of the Students Advancing International Awareness, a group that works to inform and educate the Cheltenham High School students, staff and faculty about current affairs from all over the world and to raise money for various causes. Aliyah has donated her time and efforts to charitable organizations and events, such as, Operation Smile and Earth Day. She also helped paint a mural in a residential home for children with disabilities, and sat on a panel for parents with children with hearing loss.

Aliyah has been accepted to Virginia Commonwealth University’s Art School. After college graduation, she plans to begin her career off in a company setting to get the basic knowledge of working in a corporate environment. She hopes to then progress to the point where she can start her own business.