During the program, local students,
who write and submit their own poems, are selected to appear on the
show and recite their work. The Lottery
partners with celebrities to present these awards which recognize
special individuals who volunteer time and resources to their schools
and communities.

Note: Additional information about the California Lottery may be
found at www. The online journal -- Infinite Difference --
presents selected pieces from a call for flash fiction and poetry.vsarts.org and explore the thought
provoking and enjoyable works of the young writers of Infinite Difference. Today as a
leader in arts-based teaching and learning, VSA arts' programs support key
national education goals: literacy and school readiness, teacher training, and
parental involvement.
A network of VSA arts' affiliates nationwide and in more than 60 countries
serve more than five million people through programs focused on engaging
students in the arts by helping teachers create more inclusive learning
experiences; empowering artists with disabilities by encouraging their career
paths; and supporting arts access to community cultural facilities and
activities for people with disabilities.

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News Editors/Entertainment Editors

SACRAMENTO , Calif.
"I cannot walk by myself, yet in my poem I not only walk, but give myself
license to have eight legs and experience movement.

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With
his help, these young learners receive high school credit and job
training, and many of these students go on to college to major in
broadcasting .

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VSA arts is proud to provide a forum for these talented voices.

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He is the director of a weekly non-profit cable television
literacy program called Wee Poets.vsarts.

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He teaches them how to
produce , direct, operate technical equipment, and fully edit a show.

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This gives these students a chance to
improve their reading, writing and public speaking skills.
Infinite Difference includes poems and creative nonfiction by Ekiwah Adler
Belendez, a young poet from Mexico with cerebral palsy, whose story was
featured on NBC Dateline.

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Infinite Difference also offers educators an
interactive tool to tackle national writing standards and promote literacy in
the classroom.

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By
reading and responding to the work of their peers, students make personal
connections to writing. Visit http: //www.

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For 21 years, Touma has been helping at-risk students through
poetry.
"We hope Ekiwah 's work and personal story provide a backdrop for the
important literary contributions of young people around the world," said Soula
Antoniou, president of VSA arts.org.

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On hand to honor Adnan Touma was Emmy nominated actor and Broadway
star Jaime Farr who played Corporal Klinger on the most watched
television show of all time, M*A*S*H*!
The California Lottery's "Heroes in Education" award has been
presented monthly on "The Big Spin(R)" show, since 1999.

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com

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About VSA arts
VSA arts is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by
Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where people with
disabilities learn through, participate in and enjoy the arts.

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Students
are invited to read the work of their peers and post comments on the site --
http://www.
As teaching aids, the stories and poems in Infinite Difference give
educators a tangible tool to engage students in the writing process.

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Best of all, Touma lets these students learn by actually doing, as
each and every episode of Wee Poets is produced by the students.

VSA arts Launches Interactive Online Literary Journal Infinite Difference

Debut Celebrates National Poetry Month

WASHINGTON, VSA arts today launched an interactive
online literary journal showcasing creative writing by students ages 11-18,
with a connection to disability.

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When I read a poem, on an
ephemeral level I go to the places the poet describes," said Ekiwah.
The call for flash fiction and poetry asked students to "explore the
beauty in variety, perceived imperfections, and the infinite complexities of
'difference.

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Actor Jamie Farr Presented ''Heroes in Education'' Award to El Cerrito Volunteer

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----On May 28,
2005, Adnan Touma, a volunteer from El Cerrito, was presented with the
California Lottery's "Heroes in Education" award on "The Big Spin (R)"
show.
Touma also provides free internships to students who are
interested in learning about television.

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calottery.'" A panel of professional writers and teachers judged the
submissions and selected a group of ten stories and poems that best exemplify
the creative voices that emerge from experiences with disability.