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Booker Middle School will hold auditions for current fifth-grade students interested in the Visual and Performing Arts Program, the Sarasota County School District has announced. The auditions will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 15. "We are looking for highly interested and talented students who are looking for an enriched, culturally diverse and technolo- gy-infused arts education," said Principal LaShawn Houston-Frost in a news release. "The Visual and Performing Arts Program (VPA), established at Booker Middle in 1996, welcomes qualified students from through- out Sarasota County," the release points out. Students can elect to focus on 2D/3D Art, Creative Writing, Dance, Drama, Music, Musical Theatre, Graphic Design and TV/Film Production. "Experience in one of these disciplines is not necessary to participate," the release says, "but the talent and experience demonstrated at the audition will determine a student's placement in the appropriate level" (beginning, intermedi- ate or advanced), the release adds. More information about the Booker Middle VPA program and the audition process is avail- able at bookermiddleschoolvpa.weebly.com. Parents who wish to schedule an audition may contact VPA Department Chairwoman Carrie Mills at carrie.mills@sarasotacounty- schools.net. Booker Middle School is located at 2250 Myrtle Street in Sarasota. BOOKER MIDDLE TO HOLD ARTS PROGRAM AUDITIONS Nominations are being accepted for the 2014 Stephen H. Goldman M.D. Keystone Award presented by the Center for Building Hope, the Center has announced. Now in its 13th year, the annual Goldman award recognizes "three exceptional individ- uals for their dedication and contribution to the local cancer community," a news release explains. One physician, one medical professional and one lay person or organization will be hon- ored during the Celebration of Hope Dinner to be held on Wednesday, April 30, at 6 p.m. at the Fête Catering & Ballroom at Polo Grill in Lakewood Ranch, the release notes. "Treatment after a cancer diagnosis involves four main approaches — medication, NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR AWARD HONORING LOCAL CANCER SUPPORT radiation, surgery and self-care," says Andrea Feldmar, program director of the Center for Building Hope, in the release. "Our programs involve the most important components of good self-care for patients and caregivers — some form of exercise, social and psycho- logical support, information about a healthy diet and stress reduction," she adds in the release. "The Keystone Award winners exem- plify our mission by improving the quality of life for cancer patients and their families." "The Stephen H. Goldman, M.D. Keystone Award was established in 2001 to honor and recognize the passion Dr. Goldman brought to both his professional and personal life in supporting those impacted by cancer," the release explains. "By definition, a keystone is the central stone of an arch that locks its Sarasota News Leader February 14, 2014 Page 80