By Nathan Rode
National Supervisor

School of the Arts in Rochester, NY, isn’t known for producing college or professional athletes. Its focus is on a rigorous core curriculum and the fine arts. Students at School of the Arts have to select a concentration in creative writing, dance, drama, music, theatre technology or visual arts. Kenny Cruz’s concentration is visual arts. He likes drawing, painting and sculpting.

“My favorite is definitely doing portraits, like realistic portraits with pencil and charcoal,” Cruz said. “I’m good with paint, but I’ve been using pencil from the beginning so I’m pretty good with that. I like realistic faces, shading, blending, stuff like that.

“It’s very artsy. People go to School of the Arts to audition and for art, things like that. It’s a good school.”