District News

Canajoharie sophomore named art editor of newsletter on disabilities awareness

 

Jan. 19, 2012

 

The Connect-Ability newsletter published by New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) recently named Canajoharie High School sophomore Katie Dingman as its art editor. The newsletter – prepared by and for students – focuses on disabilities awareness.

For an upcoming issue, Katie plans to draw/design pictures while focusing on a puppetry theme. Before becoming arts editor, she helped with other tasks in the newsletter and was a drummer at its last writing workshop.

“I’m very proud of this. I have never been able to read very well because of my dyslexia, so getting into this newsletter is important,” she said. “I’m very comfortable working with the newsletter team.”

According to the newsletter, Katie’s mother (who works in the Amsterdam School District) saw an issue of Connect-Ability when Katie was in eighth grade and recommended her to the editorial board because she knew Katie was looking for ways to communicate that students with and without disabilities are more alike than different.

The board chose Katie as the arts editor because she likes to draw and sculpt to help focus on her school work.

“Katie is a good student and well-liked by her peers,” said high school counselor Douglas Morrissey. “This will be an excellent opportunity for her to grow as a student and raise awareness about students with disabilities.”