Virginia Laurel Martin Wade

Virginia Laurel Martin Wade is a 2020 graduate of East Aurora HS (East Aurora).

Recognitions: Star athlete

Honors Champion for INCLUSION. University of Washington Haring Center Award for promoting inclusion. Virginia strives daily to spread the word that inclusion is the most important strategy for creating a world where everyone belongs. She believe that the understanding of one another which is accomplished through inclusion is unique and more meaningful than any other practice available. Virginia actively promotes the ideal that side by side learning best accomplishes unity and compassion.

Activities Virginia preformed whimsically as a munchkin in the 2020 performance of the Wizard of Oz. It was her great pleasure to act along with her favorite classmates who played Glinda, the Scarecrow and the Lion. Virginia speaks American Sign Language and works daily to improve her vocabulary and her delivery of recorded works. She is developing her own vlog on YouTube called "The world according to V- that's me!" Other productions include Cut!, Property Rites, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Sports Virginia is an Olympic Champion. Virginia's accomplishments include the USA Women's Alpine Ski Team for Special Olympics. Virginia won the first award for the US team at the World Special Olympics Winter Games in Austria taking 4th in the world in the Super G and 5th in Downhill. Virginia won gold in the all-around artistic gymnastics competition at the USA Special Olympic Summer Games. Virginia was award an ESPY for her role in both Olympics.

Top 10 list top Ten things Virginia wants to do at Syracuse 10. WEAR ORANGE 9. actually go to class 8. Be vocal, be seen, be involved 7. Be most well-known girl in her dorm 6. Join or Found a Shakespeare Club 5. SKI and do GYMNASTICS 4. Caption Videos using ASL 3. Win a writing award for mash-up horror 2. Speak at Graduation 1. Change the World !

Favorites "Mr Kegler and Mr Cummins win this award. Film Academy was fun, really hard, and I leaned how to do so many things. I also loved ELA, Painting and Photography."

A story (By Virginia). When I first got to EA I was pretty lost, I didn't really have much to do and didn't know anyone. School didn't seem to know where I belonged either, so I showed them. I can do so many things. I belong, I work hard, and I want to change the world. I am different but my difference makes me interesting. I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail. I walked across England. I am an athlete, a writer, a performer and I know ASL. I love East Aurora. I hope East Auror will love me back.

Highlights Virginia moved to East Aurora spring of 2019. She came here with years of acting, athletics and writing under her belt. She jumped into English, Theatre, Skiing and Film. Virginia worked out at the Summit 5 hours. week. She is also a runner and hiker. Virginia was selected as one of 10 Teen Tix writers to review and publish arts content.

Looking forward Virginia will be attending Syracuse University. She hopes to work in live theater, interpreting and eventually expects to publish/produce her writing, plays, screenplays, and music. She expects to follow in the footsteps of great artists striving for the coveted exclusive honors (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony. ) Watch out world, she's an artist and has got things to say!

Most proud of Virginia is a game-changer, she pushes the envelope, she is an inspiration. She shows up every time. Often she is the one person with Down syndrome in the room. She stands her ground, speaks her mind. She puts herself out there. The world does not always see the potential that she sees in herself. She lives passionately in her "I CAN" movement. She has had to dig deep, her self-confidence, her strong interest in learning new and difficult things has elevated her. Virginia CAN!