RVC’s own, Ellen White named 2017 Woman of Distinction
Senator Todd Kaminsky honored our fellow resident with an award thanking for her work using art to support children with learning disabilities. White is the co-founder of the BackYard Players and Friends which is a non profit organization that is an arts based community program that is open to the public and aimed towards teens and young adults of all abilities. Ms. White specifically worked with South Side High School’s eagerly anticipated Centre Stage Production which pairs special needs children and general education children. White oversees the production, but most of the choreography, scripts and songs are created by the kids themselves! Thanks to Ellen White our children have a wonderful exposure to the arts and a passion that lets them express themselves in a safe environment. Senator Kaminsky nominates one person from his district each year to receive this honor, and as Ms. White said, this year in particular was very sweet: ‘
“What a great honor to have been selected by Senator Todd Kaminsky as a Woman of Distinction for 2017,” White said. “It was very humbling to sit in an audience of such accomplished women on the 150th anniversary of the suffrage movement. To walk through the hallways of the Capital and sit in on the senate while current legislation was being passed. It was especially moving when Senator Kaminsky stood on the Senate floor and spoke passionately about passing a bill to protect our police officers and first responders. My husband Chris is a retired lieutenant with the NYPD and my sons Timothy and Ryan currently serve as NYPD officers. It was wonderful to be in there when the bill passed as it had such personal meaning to me and my family.”
We congratulate Ellen and look forward to South Side High School’s next Centre Stage production!
Regis
tration for the BackYard Players is officially open!
