TEXT ONLY

VSA arts 
of New Mexico
4904 4th N.W.
Albuquerque, NM 87107
Phone 505-345-2872
Fax: 505-345-2896
NM Relay Network:
1-800-659-8331
[email protected]

Articles on Activities  |  Press Releases

VSA Awards and Grants

Two Local Teen Volunteers Receive Award
May 10, 2001

Sydlyn Monua, a student at Manzano High School, is this year's recipient of the annual Brian Maple Award for young volunteers.  Sydlyn was given the award in recognition of her volunteer service supporting students with severe and profound disabilities.  Hiilary Druley, a senior at Freedom High School, was runner up. Hilary volunteers twice a week at VSA arts of New Mexico working side by side with adults with severe disabilities.

A total of fifteen young Albuquerque volunteers were nominated for the Brian Maple award, which supports opportunities for young people to volunteer service to their community through VSA arts of New Mexico (formerly Very Special Arts New Mexico). In recognizing young volunteers through this ward, the Brian Maple Endowment seeks to reinforce the positive contributions youth make to their communities. Volunteer opportunities facilitated through VSA arts programs also break down barriers between youth with and without disabilities.

This award is named in honor of Brian Maple, who dies at age 12 after ten month struggle with cancer. Brain was raised in a tradition of volunteerism, frequently assisting with VSA arts of New Mexico special events.

VSA arts of New Mexico is a non-profit organization whose mission is to celebrate the creative power of individuals with disabilities and educate through the arts. The Brain Maple Day Ceremonies were coordinated by a volunteer committee and hosted by VSA AmeriCorps Global Depot Team.

March 31, 2000, is the deadline for nominations for the Brian Maple Award for Young Volunteers. The award has been named in honor of Brian Maple who died at the age of 12 after a ten-month struggle with cancer. Brian was raised in a tradition of volunteerism, frequently assisting with Very Special Arts events. This annual award recognizes a young person up to the age of 25 who exemplifies community involvement as demonstrated through volunteerism in a VSA New Mexico Program. The recipient should be characterized as someone who provides some type of altruistic service to a VSA NM program in ways such as helping an apprentice artist, taking tickets at events, setting up displays. In other words, doing whatever needs to be done. The 2000 winner will receive a $50 cash award and be honored at the VSA NM Brian Maple Day Ceremony and Pizza Party in May. Last year’s winner was Rochelle Pollock from Valley High School. To obtain a nomination form, please call Deborah at VSA NM.

The purpose of the Brian Maple Endowment is to support Service Learning and Young Volunteerism in VSA New Mexico programs. The endowment is envisioned as a way to connect with youth through exploration of the arts and the development of youth leadership through service. Young volunteers have found the experience life-changing. For many it is the first time they have had the opportunity to work side-by-side with individuals with severe disabilities. For others, a lifelong commitment to community service is begun or a new career path is established.