Students’ Work Selected for VSA arts’ Online Literary Journal

April 3, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - VSA arts recently announced nine young writers whose short stories and poems have been selected for "Infinite Difference," VSA arts' online literary journal. The journal showcases creative works from middle- and high-school students who either have a disability or know someone with a disability. The theme for this year’s call for writing was “At Second Glance.”

“VSA arts’ literary programs provide a practical resource for educators to teach the language arts,” said Soula Antoniou, president of VSA arts. “Students benefit both from the writing project, as well as the opportunity to think critically about their experiences and their cultures. This year’s theme asked students to revisit an experience that later led to a change in perception. A second glance often provides a richer perspective.”

A distinguished panel of judges reviewed submissions from students ages 11-18 years. The diversity of the nine selected pieces exemplifies the creative voices that emerge from young writers with a connection to disability.

The 2009 awardees are:

Asrar Saleh Al-Thubait, 10, Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, My Dad and the Blackberries
Bryan Arnold, 17, Anchorage, Alaska, My Ocean’s Sweet Song
Kira Brazinski, 16, Jackson, Wyoming, Hundred-yard Butterfly
Gabrielle Dubroc, 16, Lafayette, Louisiana, Rain Drops
Ryszard Dyrek, 17, River Grove, Illinois, The Game
Hadley Fuller, 16, Lafayette, Louisiana, The Smell of Night
Chris Jackson, 18, Waianae, Hawaii, Growing Up Ain’t Easy
Carolyn Williams, 16, Lynnfield, Massachusetts, Locked
Lucy Zhou, 14, Livingston, New Jersey, Second Glance

The call for writing invited students to describe how a second opportunity to experience a sound, smell, sight, event, or personal interaction led to a change in perception or opinion. Participants created detailed scenarios describing the transformation of people, situations, or objects and instances where things were not what they seemed at first glance.

“Infinite Difference” is part of The Writing Project, which consists of several elements. The call for writing, writing resource books, and online “Writing Spotlights” help educators teach language skills and writing via comprehensive instruction. VSA arts' online literary journal provides an interactive forum for young writers where readers can post comments, thoughts, and questions for the authors.

For more information, visit www.vsarts.org.

About VSA arts
VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization founded 35 years ago by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where people with disabilities learn through, participate in, and enjoy the arts. VSA arts provides educators, parents, and artists with resources and the tools to support arts programming in schools and communities. VSA arts showcases the accomplishments of artists with disabilities and promotes increased access to the arts for people with disabilities. Each year millions of people participate in VSA arts programs through a nationwide network of affiliates and in 55 countries around the world. VSA arts is an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. For more information, please visit www.vsarts.org

Media Contact:

Stephanie Taylor/VSA arts
(202) 628-2800 ext. 3883
SKTaylor@vsarts.org

General Information:

(202) 628 -2800
(TTY) 737-0645
www.vsarts.org