March 2015 Students of the Month –
VSA Florida is proud to announce Ashley Ryals and Danielle Kanas as the March 2015 Students of the Month.
Professor of Art Education at Florida State University, Debi Barrett-Hayes, nominated 19-year-old Ashley Ryals and writes, “When I first met Ashley, she was shy, self-conscious, timid and seemed out of place with her peers. That Ashley is in the past.” Arts education has helped Ashley rise to a confident young lady who will graduate from high school soon using her art not only for self-expression but to assist with her youth group at church. “Ashley finds great joy in improving herself academically and artistically”, Barrett-Hayes tells us, “[she] loves Spanish, Art and Math. I believe Ashley is deserving of recognition because of her work ethic, her persevering spirit and great outlook on life.” Like many students with disabilities, Ashley has proven that art helps to overcome the many obstacles they face throughout their lives.
Ten-year-old Danielle Kanas was nominated by Kim Kearney, a music specialist at Northwest Elementary in Tampa. Through Ms. Kearney’s adaptive instruments, Danielle is overcoming her physical limitations and playing the recorder and guitar proficiently. Recently Danielle played in the PTA Reflections contest by writing a song and performing it in a school talent show. “Danielle is a quiet student that is an incredible leader through her perseverance. Her disability is obvious, but she will never let you see her consider it a disability”, writes Kearney. Born in China and adopted at 22 months to a supportive mother in the United States, Danielle lost her left hand and forearm to a infection while an infant. Using a prosthesis invented by her mom to pick and strum, Danielle now plays a modified Uke with reversed strings and enjoys the self-satisfaction music creation brings. Everyone, including her peers, marvels at her ability! Click here to see Danielle in action.
February 2015 Students of the Month –
VSA Florida is proud to announce Jordan Williams and Annalisa Sienkiewicz as the February 2015 Students of the Month.
Eleven-year-old Jordan Williams was nominated by art teacher Terry Woodlief at Central Riverside Elementary School in Jacksonville. Jordan, a talented young artist in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program (DHH) at Riverside, participated in the special project, “Their Hands Do the Talking”. He created the watercolor piece titled, “Under the Sea”, and wrote an artist statement describing his creative process, presenting it in American Sign Language (ASL). Ms. Woodlief recorded, edited with voiceover and close captions, and then uploaded the video to her blog site. At a school wide exhibition, Jordan provided attendees with demonstrations on how to use the Quick Response Code (QR) that had been created for smart phone access to his artist statement on the web. “Jordan has been instrumental in changing the culture at Central Riverside Elementary School regarding how students in the DHH Program are perceived by the student body”, Ms. Woodlief writes. “Through his art, Jordan as impressed the hearing students with this creativity and confidence. He has literally made the students in the DHH program become ‘rock stars’.”
Annalisa Sienkiewicz was nominated by ESE teacher Lori Heers at Rock Lake Middle School in Longwood. Ms. Heers writes, “Whether it be a simple worksheet or Mother’s Day craft to send home, it is going to be done 100%. Annalisa is my most meticulous student by far!” Through drawing, this young 8th grader has found solace, independence, and the ability to express herself artistically. Aside from her creative talents and interest, Ms. Heers sings her praise for Annalisa’s “all in” attitude. Although diagnosed with Down Syndrome, Annalisa is her star student helper keeping the classroom tidy and well organized. She writes, “I often have to remind myself that she has a disability,” due to this amazing student’s enthusiasm for participation and engagement.
January 2015 Students of the Month –
Displaying eager and enthusiastic participation in the arts, Jasmine Coleman and James Moore are selected as VSA Florida’s January 2015 Students of the Month.
Jasmine Coleman, 17 years old, was nominated by Edward Peddell, her guidance counselor at American Preparatory Academy in Davie, Florida. Mr. Peddell writes, “Jasmine deserves to be recognized beyond the compounds of school in the Arts”. As a senior at American Preparatory Academy garnering straight A’s, Jasmine continues to stand out as a leader that is well engaged throughout campus. “Her peers adore her”, says Peddell, “and she sits on the Homecoming Court every year”.
Jasmine is creative and innovative when working in the visual and literary arts. Her pieces have been chosen for Earth Day T-shirts as well as showcased in the school yearbook. This young star participates in youth cheerleading and her community service record is impressive, accumulating many hours working with food and toy drives. Although identified as developmentally delayed, Jasmine appears to excel in all aspects of her life clearly demonstrating her gift for the arts throughout her school.
Eleven year old James Moore was nominated by Amelia Ferrer, an ESE teacher at Sea Breeze Elementary in Manatee County. Ms. Ferrer enthusiastically writes, “James is the hardest working, encouraging, kind and enthusiastic learner I have ever encountered as a teacher”.
Following a recent VSA Florida Artist in Residency program in her classroom this fall, Ms. Ferrer explained the impact this music opportunity had on her students, especially James. James loves to sing, dance and play instruments, including the drums, which he appears to be a natural at. James hopes to take drum lessons in the future and play with a school band once he gets to middle school. Music has his attention for now and his beautiful outgoing personality exudes enthusiasm for this art form that has become contagious among his peers. Forget conduct issues…Ferrer tell us, when engaged in music James is always on his best behavior!
December 2014 Students of the Month –
VSA Florida is proud to announce Brittany Burgoyne and Emiliana Ricci as the December 2014 Students of the Month.
Brittany Burgoyne was nominated by Helen Snow, her music instructor at Palm Avenue Exceptional Student Center in Jacksonville, Florida. Brittany is a member of the school Chorale, a soloist in school concerts and won Best Female Adult Vocalist for 2013-2014 school year. “She is developing leadership skills”, writes Snow in Brittany’s nomination, “along with her progress in the musical realm has come increased self-confidence and willingness to take on responsibility. She is an excellent example of what one can do to achieve one’s goals and dreams if one has desire, motivation, drive and perseverance. She reminds us that limitations only exist to be overcome”. Outside of school and music, Brittany has been employed by the City of Jacksonville as a Summer Library Aide, is active in Special Olympics competing in flag football, basketball, soccer, swimming and surfing, and was nominated as a Publix Torch Campaign inspirational Athlete last year.
Eleven-year-old Emiliana Ricci shares her love of the arts through her music. Stacey MacDonald, Emi’s teacher at Westside Elementary School in Palm Bay, writes Emi’s “talent is impressive but her attitude is motivational.” Although she began as a member of art club, her interest changed to playing the cello in the Strings afterschool group. She also plays the violin, guitar, drums and keyboard showcasing her ability to transfer what she understands about the cello to other instruments. MacDonald shares that Emi has substantially improved her reading skills on her FCAT scores and suggests the arts have enhanced Emi’s ability to enjoy many other subjects throughout her school curriculum. Often Emi can be found helping other students with understanding sheet music, despite her Language/Speech disability. “She is a wonderful leader”, MacDonald says.
November 2014 Students of the Month –
VSA Florida is proud to announce Nicholas Mesa and Tyler W. Baranowski as the November 2014 Students of the Month.
Seventeen-year-old Nicholas Mesa is a film producer in the making believes Juan Moreno, Nicholas’ nominating instructor from John Ferguson Senior High School in Miami. Moreno states that throughout the past four years at FHS, Nicholas has continued to excel in the school’s film program, writing, directing and even starring in student film productions in which he has collaborated with his peers. Through this art form Nicholas, who has autism, has grown to be more self-confident and has developed many friendships with people who appreciate and respect him not only an individual, but a talented filmmaker. Moreno writes, “Nicholas is a pleasure to have in class! He is passionate about the movies and is eager to learn and give 100% in all of his classes. His progress in four years of high school is commendable… it is my firm opinion that he has a bright successful future ahead of him!”
Thirteen-year-old Tyler W. Baranowski attends Rochelle School of the Arts in Polk County and was nominated by instructor Jesse Bryant for his outstanding musical participation and accomplishments in the middle school band. Bryant writes, “Tyler is a very gifted saxophone player” and has earned the most outstanding woodwind member award. Asperger’s Syndrome has not held him back; in fact being a member of the band program has helped him overcome many of the challenges that typically characterize his disability. He generously provides encouragement to other band members by serving as a mentor to other musicians in the band program. “I’m really proud each day,” writes Bryant, “to able to teach such a great kid.”
Northeast Florida Counties Showcase VSA Florida October Students of the Month
VSA Florida is proud to announce Jordan Belford and Jeremiah Huggins as their October 2014 Students of the Month.
Ten year old Jordan Belford is a second year student at North Florida School of Special Education in Jacksonville who has demonstrated outstanding participation and artistic growth in not only his studio art program but music as well. His nominating art teacher, Jill Morrow, writes, “Jordan is very focused when he is in his art zone and has created some beautiful pieces that have been showcased in various art shows”, both at school and within the Jacksonville community. The North Florida School of Special Education recently opened a new Music Department where Jordan has eagerly become involved. Ms. Morrow tells us that Jordan’s increased self-confidence was validated at the last school assembly where he sang a vocal solo piece in front of the entire student body!
As extracurricular involvement, Jordan enjoys yoga and the after-school social club, both wonderful supplementary activities to help deal with his Autism. He enjoys coming to most school events both on and off campus as well.
Jeremiah Huggins is celebrated in the older category as an October 2014 Student of the Month. “Since attending VSAFL After-School Art Program in Flagler County, he has blossomed into a very creative artist under the direction of their artist-in-residence Chris Kastle”, says Jeremiah’s nominator, ESE Parent Specialist for Flagler County, Sue McVeigh. These art classes have paid off by the recent publication of his two art pieces illustrating Inclusive Communities for Diverse Abilities and Cultures by the City of Orlando's Florida Fair Housing Summit 2014 Calendar. Sue McVeigh writes, “Jeremiah has come a long way as a student in general. Being classified as Speech Impaired at a very early age, Jeremiah learned how to express his individuality through the venues of art and music. With an additional obstacle of ADHD, he has learned to focus his energy in the details of art mastery and musical expertise”.
As many special needs students discover, art relaxes Jeremiah and keeps him on task. Although his current schedule is not able to accommodate an art class this term, he still draws for fun. He is currently enrolled in the Florida Pre-International Baccalaureate Diploma Program in English and Spanish, in addition to being enrolled in Honors Biology and Geometry.
Jeremiah is a member of the Flagler Palm Coast High School Band and participates in the Brainchild After-School tutoring club for students with disabilities.
VSA Florida September Students of the Month Recognized in
St. Johns County and Miami Dade County
VSA Florida is proud to announce Bailey Smith and Ashley Bonilla as their September 2014 Students of the Month.
Bailey Smith is a junior this year at St. Johns County Center for the Arts at St. Augustine High School in St. Augustine, Florida. She was selected and nominated by her Choral and Musical Theatre teacher, Jeff Dodd who felt it was important to recognize Bailey’s outstanding achievement in music since she came to her school in 9th grade. “Bailey has performed solos at the Florida Vocal Association’s solo and ensemble festival and received excellent ratings”, Dodd writes, “she is a hard worker and does not let her visual disability get in the way of her goals.” Duly impressed, Dodd says, “Baily is determined and motivated. Qualities that you wish for all students to possess in your classes and performing groups.”
Dodd continues his outstanding nomination by describing Bailey’s compassion for others. Earlier this year, she immediately recognized another visually impaired student struggling to adjust to being a member of the choir. Through her kindness and voluntary mentorship, the student learned about reading music aides that were available to her.
Ashley Bonilla attends Jose de Diego Middle School in Miami, Florida and was nominated by her teacher, Rita Lopez. Ms. Lopez’s enthusiastic recommendation explains what a talented visual artist Ashley is and despite her autism, she has used art to increase her communication skills and express herself clearly through the images and books she creates. She writes, “[Ashley’s] art is [her job] reflecting how life is beautiful, including for the people with disabilities”.