John Latona, 2011 graduate from Frewsburg Central School, received the State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence at Buffalo State College. He studied interdisciplinary studies at Buffalo State College where he earned a Master in Science degree with a concentration in fibers and material studies. Latona curated and created a solo exhibit at the Indigo Art Gallery in Buffalo for his senior thesis where he combined traditional weaving methods with screen printing and cable ties. Photo of John Latona by Nick Butler Photography

From Frewsburg to Rwanda and back again, a 2011 Frewsburg Central School graduate earned recognition for student success at Buffalo State College.

John Latona was awarded the State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence at Buffalo State College and will be officially honored at the Albany Capital Center on April 10.

Latona officially graduated in Fall 2017 with a 4.0 GPA and earned his Master of Science in multidisciplinary studies. He previously earn his Bachelor of Science in art education in 2015 at Buffalo State College.

For the past two years, Latona has been employed as a teacher at Charter School for Applied Technology in Buffalo where he teaches photography, graphic design and yearbook.

Latona became the first student to choose a concentration on fibers and material studies while at Buffalo State College. Fiber art is made up of natural or synthetic fiber including fabric or yarn. For his senior thesis Latona curated and created an art gallery consisting of traditional weaving methods, screen printing and cable ties that was on display at the Indigo Art Gallery in Buffalo.

Jozef Bajus, associate professor of fiber art, said this combination of methods was something new to the art form. Bajus also described Latona as a “good leader” and “a great example for his classmates.”

“I never thought when I was younger that I could have the opportunity to be recognized for my academic work. I was never traditionally good at school but when I got to Buffalo State I flourished,” Latona said. “Buffalo State gave me the tools to showcase my strengths push my passions into real-world skills and opportunities. And I couldn’t be prouder to share this recognition with all of the people who helped me get to this point.”

Latona believes he was given the award because of his passion for his students and his artwork. He noted that his ability to take what he learned in Rwanda, Africa, and apply it to teaching helped earn him recognition in the form of the Chancellor’s Award.

Latona traveled to Rwanda as part of Buffalo State’s Anne Frank Project in January 2016. There, Latona said he found inspiration for his master thesis and life in general.

“While in Rwanda, on my service learning study abroad program, we went to schools to train local teachers in how to incorporate ‘the arts’ into their education programs to create a more holistic and engaging style of teaching,” he said.

In Rwanda, Latona said he met a young boy named Claude at a local orphanage. He said Claude expressed self-doubt while maintaining admiration for other children’s attributes.

“I empathized with looking to find the good in others but struggling to see the good in yourself,” he said.

Latona said he carried that inspiration with him when he returned to Buffalo and wanted to incorporate a stronger connection with his students by getting to know them better through their artwork. He said it is common for teachers to only know their students on an academic level and felt something was missing.

“I think I am a more effective teacher when am able to know where a student is coming from outside of academia,” Latona said.

Latona said he wants to continue to teach, but has also applied to several master of fine art programs in the country. He said he knew as far back as middle school that he wanted to be an art teacher.

While attending Frewsburg, Latona said the environment he experienced allowed him to thrive. He noted that the fine arts teachers, including Kathy Sowles, Jeff Collver and Jennifer Sears, pushed him to succeed.

“Any award that boy can earn is well deserved,” Sowles said.

Sowles, the former art teacher at Frewsburg who taught Latona for two years, described him as “very creative” and said she was proud of the work he put in “develop his skills.”

Latona said Frewsburg created “safe places” where he could experiment and grow while learning from potential mistakes.

“Being taught at Frewsburg was more like being mentored,” he said. “As an educator, I keep in the back of my head the role my teachers at Frewsburg had on shaping not only my academics but also who I am as a person.”

At Buffalo State College, Latona’s mindset remained relatively similar regarding experimentation.

“He is not afraid to fail,” Bajus said of Latona’s innovation.

Latona said Bajus was one of his primary influences and that the professor showed Latona how to tell a story through his art.

Latona also credited his family for allowing him to attend college as an inspiration. Latona said his parents were the biggest factor for him to be successful in school.

“They have supported me every step of the way,” he said.

As for his plans for April 10, Latona, accompanied by his mother, will attend the official ceremony in Albany.

“It’s a great opportunity to take a road trip to Albany with her and show her how big the accomplishment really is and to let her have a proud Mom moment,” he said.