Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School student Sharon Bielik is the first Plainview or Old Bethpage student to be accepted into the 2002 MENC/Tri-M International Honors Ensemble Orchestra. MENC, Music Educators National Conference, is the national professional organization for music educators K-College and Tri-M is the International Music Society.

Last spring, Bielik submitted an audition tape and application to the National MENC/Tri-M office. As a violist, Bielik is a member of POBJFK High School Symphonic Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and String Orchestra. In addition, Bielik is currently the secretary of the orchestra as well as a very active member of the school's chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and has performed in numerous concerts and recitals for the community.

Bielik was also selected as a New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) All-State Alternate Orchestra member in both her junior and senior year. Furthermore, she has been selected to participate in both the Long Island String Festival Association Orchestra and Nassau Music Educators Association All-County Orchestra since the seventh grade. Bielik has been a member of the Long Island Youth Orchestra and the Camerata String Orchestra and has attended the Hartwick College summer music festival for three years.

Bielik will be traveling to Nashville, Tennessee April 10 to 13 for the MENC National Biennial Conference. She will be rehearsing with over 100 other talented high school musicians from across the United States.

"We are thrilled that Sharon has received this prestigious recognition. She is a wonderful student and most deserving of this honor," said Glenn Rubin, orchestra director and Tri-M faculty advisor at Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School.