VOA慢速英语2011--New Young Artists Honored With Awards fr

AMERICAN MOSAIC¹ - New Young Artists Honored With Awards from Scholastic² Corporation

CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: Welcome to AMERICAN MOSAIC in VOA Special English.
(MUSIC)
I'm Christopher Cruise. On our program this week, we play music from Lady Gaga’s latest release.
But first, we tell about the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards – high honors for some for young people. And, we meet one of the big winners.
(MUSIC)
Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: Hundreds of young artists are gathering³ in New York for a ceremony to honor them and their work. They will receive the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. The awards have been in existence for more than eighty years. Some earlier winners have gone on to become famous. They include artist Andy Warhol, writer Sylvia Plath and actor/director Robert Redford .
Here is Faith Lapidus with more about the awards and their administrator⁴, the non-profit group Alliance for Young Artists and Writers.
FAITH LAPIDUS: Scholastic is a worldwide publishing, education and media company. It produces books, magazines, film and toys for children. The Scholastic website says a main goal of the company is to help boys and girls read and learn.
The company was formed ninety years ago. The Scholastic Awards for Art and Writing followed soon after.
VIRGINIA MCENERNEY: “The awards were started in 1923 by M.R. Robinson who wanted to find a way to give recognition and encouragement to students who were creative and who were doing original artistic⁵ and literary work in the classroom.”
Virginia McEnerney is the Executive Director of the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers. She says M. R. Robinson saw an imbalance between recognition of success in sports and of that in the arts. These are his words about the awards.
VIRGINIA MCENERNEY: “The purpose of the awards was to give those high school students who demonstrate superior talent and achievement in things of the spirit and of the mind at least a fraction of the honors and rewards accorded to their athletic⁶ classmates for demonstrating their bodily skills.”
Virginia McEnerney says the Scholastic founder’s statement from nineteen twenty-three is still true today.
VIRGINIA MCENERNEY: “Most high school students spend their high school years walking through hallways filled with trophy⁷ cases for athletes. We are still the only national program giving creative teenagers the kind of validation⁸ and support fundamental to their development, confidence, to their commitment to their path.”
Ms. McEnerney says the program has grown. She says only seven young people entered the competition in the first year it was held. This year, she says, there were one hundred eighty-five thousand entries. And, that is almost double the number of entries the Alliance received last year.
Why was the growth so intense? Virginia McEnerney says she believes technology was partly responsible. The ability of students to present their work online has made the program open to more young artists. But she believes there may also be cultural reason.
VIRGINIA MCENERNEY: I think there’s a big, kind of, “maker” movement going on, a DIY [do-it-yourself] crafter movement. So there’s a lot more handmade work going on.”
Music and art education budgets have been cut at many American schools in recent years. Also, President Obama and other officials have expressed concern that too few students are seeking degrees in what are called the STEM fields: science, technology, engineering and math. But Virginia McEnerney says arts should not be ignored.
VIRGINIA MCENERNEY: “We do hear a lot about STEM, but we also hear learning experts talk about STEAM, putting the arts in the middle.”
She says the arts help develop imaginative problem-solving and a fearlessness that is successful in any field.
The Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards are open to students around the world in grades seven through twelve. The entries are first judged in local competitions. Nominees⁹ for national prizes are sent to New York. The jurors there include famous artists and writers.
Virginia McEnenerny says award entries have developed over the years. There is now an award for best video game design. Photo shop programs have affected¹⁰ the kind of images the Alliance receives. But she says jurors often note similar themes or ideas within the entries.
VIRGINIA MCENERNEY: “This year, for whatever reason, it was dangling¹¹ feet. And sometimes we couldn’t tell if they were dangling or jumping. But last year we saw a lot of pipes and piping. So we do see some resonant¹² imagery.”
For a link to the award-winning work go to our website at voaspecialenglish.com.
David Vo
CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: Now we meet one of the celebrated¹³ young artists. David Vo is an eighteen-year-old in the twelfth grade at Falls Church High School in Virginia. He had a big smile on his face when he met us to talk about his work, the award and his future.
And he has good reason to be happy. He was named a Portfolio¹⁴ Gold Award winner. This highest award comes with a ten thousand dollar prize. David tells about getting the phone call.
DAVID VO: “He’s like, I have really good news. You’re one of the winners for a gold portfolio and along with that you get a ten thousand dollar scholarship. And at first I didn’t really understand because things just don’t happen like that for me. And I went out to my teach Miss Sinclair and her face turned red. Her jaw¹⁵ dropped.”
David Vo will put the money to good use later this year.
DAVID VO: “Especially for art school in New York. Because that’s quite pricey.”
David is hoping to attend Parsons, the New School of Design in New York City. His art teacher is Donna Sinclair of Falls Church High School. David says he owes much to her.
DAVID VO: “She was the one who guided me toward continuing my portfolio. Because I remember during the summer I e-mailed her saying I can’t do AP art this year. I was going to be too busy. And she was like David, ‘just test it out for a few months and if you can’t do it we’ll switch classes.’ And it got me to where I am right now.” 
David Vo has liked art for as long as he can remember. For many years, he painted. He started working with other media after entering high school. He made sculptures for a time. Then a new material caught his eye.
DAVID VO: “This year I looked at rope and recycled twine¹⁶ and its something people would look at and say it’s too difficult to work with but for me…it stood out to me and it was unique.”
David took this rope and twine and made beautiful neckpieces. Some are large and thick and cream colored. Others are a deep brown. They bend up and around the neck in a strange sculptural display. Almost all completely hide the neck. Or maybe the design is more protective than secretive.
DAVID VO: “It has a really odd meaning because as a kid growing up, kids bullied¹⁷ me. If it wasn’t for my weight, it was for my look. So when I found this material I was very proud to take something conventionally ugly and make it pretty.”
David Vo has never before entered his creations into a competition. His message to other hopeful artists is to believe in yourself.
DAVID VO: “Don’t be afraid to take risks. And if you think your piece is perfect…it is.”
Lady Gaga: “Born This Way”
CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: Musical artist Lady Gaga has had a big week. Sunday night, she won top pop artist and two other honors at the Billboard¹⁸ Music Awards. Then on Tuesday she released a collection of songs she had promised would be the album of the decade. First day sales of “Born This Way,” at Amazon.com were so strong that the company’s computers slowed, angering some buyers. But reaction to the album is generally good.
Steve Ember has more.
(MUSIC)
STEVE EMBER: That was "Americano," one of the most energetic dance songs on “Born This Way.” Much of it is sung in the Spanish language. Lady Gaga also sings in German on “Born This Way.” 
Her songs touch on widely different subjects. They include Christianity, same sex love and the excitement of speeding down a road. Here she slows down the beat with “Bloody Mary.”
(MUSIC)
This week Lady Gaga appeared on the television program, “Late Show with David Letterman.” She wore black underclothes, high heeled black boots and a black jacket. And a mask. When David Letterman asked why her face was covered, she said, simply, “I’m Batman.”
We leave you with her performing “The Edge of Glory” from the album, “Born This Way.”
(MUSIC)
CHRISTOPHER CRUISE: I’m Christopher Cruise. Our program was written and produced by Caty Weaver¹⁹.
Join us again next week for music and more on AMERICAN MOSAIC in VOA Special English.

1 mosaic   

n./adj.镶嵌细工的，镶嵌工艺品的，嵌花式的

参考例句：

• The sky this morning is a mosaic of blue and white.今天早上的天空是幅蓝白相间的画面。
• The image mosaic is a troublesome work.图象镶嵌是个麻烦的工作。

2 scholastic   

adj.学校的，学院的，学术上的

参考例句：

• There was a careful avoidance of the sensitive topic in the scholastic circles.学术界小心地避开那个敏感的话题。
• This would do harm to students' scholastic performance in the long run.这将对学生未来的学习成绩有害。

3 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

4 administrator   

n.经营管理者，行政官员

参考例句：

• The role of administrator absorbed much of Ben's energy.行政职务耗掉本很多精力。
• He has proved himself capable as administrator.他表现出管理才能。

5 artistic   

adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的

参考例句：

• The picture on this screen is a good artistic work.这屏风上的画是件很好的艺术品。
• These artistic handicrafts are very popular with foreign friends.外国朋友很喜欢这些美术工艺品。

6 athletic   

adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的

参考例句：

• This area has been marked off for athletic practice.这块地方被划出来供体育训练之用。
• He is an athletic star.他是一个运动明星。

7 trophy   

n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品

参考例句：

• The cup is a cherished trophy of the company.那只奖杯是该公司很珍惜的奖品。
• He hung the lion's head as a trophy.他把那狮子头挂起来作为狩猎纪念品。

8 validation   

n.确认

参考例句：

• If the countdown timer ever hits zero, do your validation processing. 处理这种情况的方法是在输入的同时使用递减计时器，每次击键重新计时。如果递减计时器变为零，就开始验证。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓
• Although the validation control is a very widespread idiom, most such controls can be improved. 虽然确认控件是非常广泛的习惯用法，但还有很多有待改进的地方。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

9 nominees   

n.被提名者，被任命者( nominee的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• She's one of the nominees. 她是被提名者之一。 来自超越目标英语 第2册
• A startling number of his nominees for senior positions have imploded. 他所提名的高级官员被否决的数目令人震惊。 来自互联网

10 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

11 dangling   

悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口

参考例句：

• The tooth hung dangling by the bedpost, now. 结果，那颗牙就晃来晃去吊在床柱上了。
• The children sat on the high wall,their legs dangling. 孩子们坐在一堵高墙上，摇晃着他们的双腿。

12 resonant   

adj.(声音)洪亮的，共鸣的

参考例句：

• She has a resonant voice.她的嗓子真亮。
• He responded with a resonant laugh.他报以洪亮的笑声。

13 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

14 portfolio   

n.公事包；文件夹；大臣及部长职位

参考例句：

• He remembered her because she was carrying a large portfolio.他因为她带着一个大公文包而记住了她。
• He resigned his portfolio.他辞去了大臣职务。

15 jaw   

n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训

参考例句：

• He delivered a right hook to his opponent's jaw.他给了对方下巴一记右钩拳。
• A strong square jaw is a sign of firm character.强健的方下巴是刚毅性格的标志。

16 twine   

v.搓，织，编饰；（使）缠绕

参考例句：

• He tied the parcel with twine.他用细绳捆包裹。
• Their cardboard boxes were wrapped and tied neatly with waxed twine.他们的纸板盒用蜡线扎得整整齐齐。

17 bullied   

adj.被欺负了v.恐吓，威逼( bully的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• My son is being bullied at school. 我儿子在学校里受欺负。
• The boy bullied the small girl into giving him all her money. 那男孩威逼那个小女孩把所有的钱都给他。 来自《简明英汉词典》

18 billboard   

n.布告板，揭示栏，广告牌

参考例句：

• He ploughed his energies into his father's billboard business.他把精力投入到父亲的广告牌业务中。
• Billboard spreads will be simpler and more eye-catching.广告牌广告会比较简单且更引人注目。

19 weaver   

n.织布工；编织者

参考例句：

• She was a fast weaver and the cloth was very good.她织布织得很快，而且布的质量很好。
• The eager weaver did not notice my confusion.热心的纺织工人没有注意到我的狼狈相。