Local students Jessica Benevento (center, left) and Denny McDermott (center, right) from East Haven High School were two of 305 top Connecticut seniors who excel in the arts who were honored at the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) High School Outstanding Arts Awards Banquet held recently at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington. The students are pictured here receiving their awards with (left to right) Jerry Kristafer, weekday morning host, WJMJ Radio; Jennifer LaJoie, sales associate, Bearingstar Insurance; Kevin Myjak, sales associate, Jostens; and Dr. Karissa Niehoff, executive director of CAS. Benevento received recognition in the performing arts; McDermott was recognized for the visual arts. The CAS Outstanding Arts Awards Banquet annually recognizes two seniors in each CAS member high school for outstanding ability in the performing or visual arts. The students are selected by their schools to receive this honor. The banquet, with more than 1,400 in attendance, is sponsored by Jostens and Bearingstar Insurance.