WHEREAS, Calista Garcia, an eleventh grade student at H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program in Arlington, was named a 2018 National YoungArts Foundation award winner in the singer-songwriter category; and

WHEREAS, as a National YoungArts Foundation award winner, Calista Garcia was selected through a blind adjudication process and received valuable support, professional development, and educational experience working with renowned mentors; and

WHEREAS, growing up in a family supportive of the arts and arts education, songwriting comes naturally to Calista Garcia; at the age of 13, she wrote the score to a musical her school produced based on Lysistrata; and

WHEREAS, Calista Garcia continues to perform frequently at events around the Washington, D.C., area in a style that has been described as a folk-rock and blues sound that harkens back to 1970s classic acts; she aspires to continue in her professional and artistic development; and

WHEREAS, in 2019, Calista Garcia was selected as an Artist in Residence at Strathmore, a multi-disciplinary arts center and presenting organization where she received mentoring and training, as well as unique performance and learning opportunities; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Calista Garcia, an eleventh grade student at H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program in Arlington, for receiving the National YoungArts Foundation award in the singer-songwriter category; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Calista Garcia, as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for her dedication to the arts.