Hillsborough Middle School

HMS Students Shine at the 2026 Somerset County Teen Arts Festival

On May 19, 2026, approximately 100 HMS students proudly represented our school at the Somerset County Teen Arts Festival (TAF) held at Raritan Valley Community College. TAF is a prestigious annual arts-in-education program sponsored by the Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission.

Our incredibly talented students worked tirelessly with their sponsoring teachers for months, honing their crafts to showcase their very best across seven distinct disciplines: dance, vocal music, instrumental music, theater, visual arts, film, and creative writing. In addition to showcasing their work, students received invaluable, professional critiques from artist adjudicators to help them grow as creators.

When they weren’t performing, receiving feedback, or cheering on their peers, students immersed themselves in the vibrant campus atmosphere, attending many of the 35+ interactive workshops and activities available throughout the day.

Visit the HMS TAF website to experience this year’s festival.

We are immensely proud of all our participants for their dedication, passion, and artistry. They truly put the spotlight on Hillsborough’s talent.

Advancing Participants:

Creative Writing

Iniya Ashok, “Honey Kissed” – Prose, Sponsor: Christina Simons

Samara Reid, “Women and Apples” – Poetry, Sponsor: Yasmeen Khashab

Divisha Khandelwal, “Fragments of a Thousand Faces” – Poetry, Sponsor: Jennifer Laster

Dance

Brynn Convery, “Majorie”, Sponsor: Tracy Baker

Film

Veer Patel & Arnav Pidaparthy, “Look Mom, I Can Fly”, Sponsor: Lizandaa Alburg

Instrumental Music

Jason Wang, “Chopin Ballad No.3, Op.47” – Piano Category, Sponsor: Tracey Baker

Andrew Rufus, “What a Wonderful World” – Piano Category,  Sponsor: Tracey Baker

HMS Group Performance, “Song of Storms” – Small Group Category,  Sponsor: Tracey Baker

Saish Nagnur & Addie Ivaturi, “Five Sax Duets” – Small Group Category,  Sponsor: Tracey Baker

Theater

Sabrinna Soares, “Ariel” – Small Theater, Non Musical, Sponsor: Christina Simons