Pinellas and Santa Rosa County Students Recognized as
VSAFL February Students of the Month
VSA Florida is proud to announce J’Amani Prince from Plumb Elementary School in Clearwater, and Amber Lenzo from SITE in Milton, Florida as the VSA Florida February Students of the Month. Each student in some way has excelled in or through the arts. These are their stories:
J’Amani Prince
Performing in front of a crowd is nerve-racking, but to 12 year old J’AmaniPrince this is a challenge he has been able to improve on over the years. J’Amani at times struggles with the words to a song, but as speech pathologist, Jennifer Stowers mentions, “with extra practice time in class and home, he is able to learn and perform the words to the songs he learns in chorus.” His hard work is shown through the songs he is able to perform. He has not only improved in performance but at social communication, as well. Ms. Stowers mentions, “He has been eager to greet, initiate conversations, and hold a conversation with peers and adults due to his singing practice.” Not only has his passion for music helped him perform, but he’s grown from it and shows commitment.
J’Amani has been involved with the chorus group for two years and attends these classes on a weekly basis. Stowers writes, “He makes up his own songs and harmonizes on his own.” He has shown talent and is able to learn through his experiences.
Amber Lenzo
Amber attends the SITE Program in Milton, Florida where she is studying vocational and daily living skills. Nominated by instructor Erin Munn, she writes about how superbly talented Amber has become in using various mediums for her artwork. She says, “Amber has a good sense of color and blends well. She has improved her techniques over the years and uses perspective, color, lines and lighting techniques to create original works of art that are full of feeling and evoke emotion.”
Although much of what Amber creates she has learned on her own, she enjoys and actively participates in her school art classes. She appreciates the art of others and helps her classmates develop their skills.
To add to her artistic repertoire, Amber is quite tech savvy. She’s able to do some web designing, graphic arts and creates PowerPoint presentations. Amber sings in her church choir and donates a number of acrylic paintings to the SITE Program Annual Art Auction.
The VSAFL program is designed to increase public awareness and recognize the impact arts make on students with disabilities statewide. Students who participate in the arts develop creativity, have increased self-confidence, understand teamwork, have increased language and math skills and are generally more engaged.