WHITE HOUSE PHOTOS : Arts programs untouched by cutbacks receive honors from First Lady Michelle Obama
buzzz worthy. . .
WASHINGTON - Often arts programs are the first to go amid budget cuts.
But the Obama Administration has upheld a commitment to the arts even in difficult times. First Lady Michelle Obama, the Honorary Chairperson of the White House Committee on the Arts and Humanities honored 13 students from around the country and one international student from Kenya for their involvement in after school arts programs. The National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards is the highest award given for after school arts and humanities programs.
Chosen from a pool of more that 350 nominees and 50 finalists, students from our region were among the awardees: Asia Palmer, a flutist in the OrchKids program in Baltimore and Jamine Marr from the Where We Live program at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC
The honor supercharged Marr's confidence. The high school junior said she will return to school feeling like she can "run things."
Some of the participants in the various after school programs have practically grown up in the programs,which are just as much a safe haven for them as mucxh as they are outlets for creative expression.
The honorees received a vote confidence from First Lady Obama, During her remarks she told the students to shoot for as high as the White House in their future aspirations.
All photos by Mona Austin
WASHINGTON - Often arts programs are the first to go amid budget cuts.
But the Obama Administration has upheld a commitment to the arts even in difficult times. First Lady Michelle Obama, the Honorary Chairperson of the White House Committee on the Arts and Humanities honored 13 students from around the country and one international student from Kenya for their involvement in after school arts programs. The National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards is the highest award given for after school arts and humanities programs.
Chosen from a pool of more that 350 nominees and 50 finalists, students from our region were among the awardees: Asia Palmer, a flutist in the OrchKids program in Baltimore and Jamine Marr from the Where We Live program at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC
The honor supercharged Marr's confidence. The high school junior said she will return to school feeling like she can "run things."
Some of the participants in the various after school programs have practically grown up in the programs,which are just as much a safe haven for them as mucxh as they are outlets for creative expression.
The honorees received a vote confidence from First Lady Obama, During her remarks she told the students to shoot for as high as the White House in their future aspirations.
All photos by Mona Austin
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| Artist and program director from the Pearl Bailey Library in VA |
