To create a world in which the arts are universally accessible…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Wendy Finklea, VSA Florida Director of Programs University of South Florida [email protected] www.vsafl.org 813.974.0715

Walton Student Named VSA Florida May Student of the Month Board of Directors: Executive Committee:

(Tampa, FL) May 20, 2015 Katie Molloy President Tampa

VSA Florida is pleased to announce 21-year-old Crystal Tolley as one of their May Marsha Rockhill Vice President 2015 Students of the Month. Crystal was nominated by Kim Lonas, Executive Director Panama City of the Chautauqua Learn and Serve Charter School at the Arc of Walton County, which Bill Heller has a strong inclusive theater program. Lonas writes “(Crystal’s) first brave step of Treasurer St. Petersburg trying a small part in Macbeth as a witch led to a slightly larger role with a speaking Judy Litt part in the same scene, and then to play several roles throughout “Fire Burn!”, a play Secretary of 7 Shakespeare’s plays. Today Crystal plays Ophelia, a role that she took over for a Miami fellow [typical] company member. As she is led off by the angels, there is not a dry eye in the house. She is so phenomenal that our playwright wrote a play with Crystal as Board of Directors: Enrique Escallon lead!" Miami

Susan Gallo Crystal is in her 2nd year with the No Limits Theater Company, which is designed to Jacksonville bring community awareness to mixed abilities through the arts. She has received David Handera Jacksonville honors for her participation in numerous productions including The Sprout Film Festival Susan Law in Gainesville, Florida. She has worked with students from Seaside School sharing Jacksonville her love of Shakespeare with elementary and middle school children. With over 1,500 Morgan Barr Lewis hours of community service through her involvement in numerous non-profit Tallahassee Merry Lynn Morris organizations throughout Walton County, Crystal has proven her noteworthy selection Tampa as a VSA Florida Student of the Month!

Ex Officio: VSA Florida is looking forward to presenting Crystal in the coming weeks with her gift Dr. Daphne Thomas certificate and personalized trophy for winning this prestigious award. Tampa

Monica Verra-Tirado The VSAFL Student of the Month Program is designed to increase public awareness Tallahassee Aimee Mallini and recognize the impact arts make on students with disabilities statewide. Students Tallahassee who participate in the arts develop creativity, have increased self-confidence, understand teamwork, have increased language and math skills and are generally more engaged. Jennifer Sabo Executive Director For more information about the Student of the Month program and others, please visit www.vsafl.org. To nominate a student you may follow the link: http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e7tsf1x3hj1rt10e/start

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