The Vermont Alliance for Arts Education (VAAE) honored twenty-two Vermonters for exemplary contributions and dedication to arts education at the Annual Arts Education Awards Evening on April 2, 2003 at the Vermont State House. The evening celebration began with a reception featuring delicious desserts. Prominently displayed in the reception entryway were displays featuring the honorees numerous activities and projects for which they were being honored.

The VAAE Awards Ceremony featured a brief talk by Doug Walker, a Vermont Deputy Education Commissioner. Following Walker's comments, student performers from Vermont schools entertained honorees and their guests. The U-32 Camerata Singers, directed by Dan Boomhower, sang selections followed by St. Johnsbury Academy actors, Jessica Molleur, Patrick Ajamie, and Steve Freitas performing a student-written play by Connor Long.

Representing dance, St. Johnsbury School District's student, Rebecca Hulme, performed to "Marco Polo" by Loreena McKennitt. Completing the student performances, Champlain Valley Union High School musicians, Kiely Griffin, flutist and Cathryn Gaylord, pianist played selections by Georges Enesco, Moquet, and Telemann.

Concluding the evening's festivities, VAAE Awards chairperson, Dorothy Robson, spoke of each honoree's arts contributions before the honoree accepted an award certificate from Deputy Commissioner Walker. Those receiving the 2003 Distinguished Leader in Vermont Arts Education Awards are seen in the group photo to the left, as well as Margaret Foster, Michael Martin, David Stern and Dana Woessner.

Additional information about each honoree and photos may be found here: