Amanda LaMunyon
*AMANDA LAMUNYON
Born - April 14, 1995
Amanda LaMunyon was born in Oklahoma. She began painting when she was 7 years old. She was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at the age of 8. She began reading at the age of 4. In kindergarten she drew all her ABC’s instead of cutting out pictures for them. This would be the first sign of Amanda’s artistic ability.
She had a difficult time staying in school. Her teachers said she could repeat all the rules but could not seem to apply them. She was a happy little girl but her spirit began to wane because of her seeming inability to fit in.
Because of her desire to encourage others, Amanda has emerged from an inward world to a world of giving and caring. She sings and shares her art with many organizations to help raise money for children's health. Her greatest desire is to help find the cause of autism.
By sharing her story through the arts, Amanda has received many awards, including the "Caring Award", "The Prudential Spirit of Community Award", "The President's Daily Points of Light", "The President's Volunteer Service Award", "Outstanding Individual with Autism of the Year" with ASA, The National American Miss "National Volunteer Service Award" and the " Yes I Can Award", CEC. She was honored before the Oklahoma State Senate.
She has been honored to give President George W. Bush her painting of "Our Flag Was Still There"; former First Lady Nancy Reagan, her portrait painting of President Ronald Reagan; and to First Lady of Nevada Dawn Gibbons her painting of "God Bless the USA".
Amanda has been included in the books: "Islands of Genius", by Dr. Darold Treffert, "The Art of Autism", by Debbie Hosseini and Dr. Rosa C. Martinez, "Drawing Autism", by Jill Mullin, "Girls Under the Umbrella of the Autism Spectrum" by Dr. Ernsperger and Danielle Wendell (her painting graced the cover of this book) and ""A Girl's Guide to Achieving in the Arts" by Dr. Kristen Stephens, and Dr. Frances Karnes.
Amanda's words: "It is important that we as Americans must take the lead to find the cause, cure and prevention of Autism. We have the privilege and freedom in our great country to raise money and speak about our concerns. It has been my privilege to work with the Children's Miracle Network, Autism Speaks, The Lili Claire Foundation, Dr. Rosa C. Martinez with "Strokes of Genius" and many other organizations. I hope to continue to share my art and my story of overcoming challenges."
Academics Awards and Honors:
2010 "The Caring Award" and scholarship The Caring institute, Washington D.C.
2010-2007 Principal's Honor Roll and the "Outstanding Freshman English and Drama Award"
2010 OBA High School Choir (superior @ state)
2009 Recipient of the " National Prudential Spirit of Community Award and Scholarship" , "The Presidents Daily Points of Light", "The President's Volunteer Service Gold Award" and the "Yes I Can National Award" (for art) CEC
2007-2004 Emmanuel Christian School: Honor Choir, "Service Award", "Thankfulness Award" & "Diligence Award"
2007 ASCI State Speech Meet: 1st place (gold medal) Original Speech, "A Little Secret"
2007 Seiling Music Festival, solo, "Shenandoah", 1+ (Superior plus)
2010-2005 Duke University's Gifted & Talented Program - State Certificate of Merit for Verbally Talented- Essay and art featured in "Navigator Magazine" - Art on the front page of the "Duke Gifted Letter"
2006-2004 Top 1% in Nation on the Star Reading Test
School activities and Leadership Positions, Sports Teams:
2011 Honored to be chosen to be a page for Senator Patrick Anderson (next Session)
2011 Carnegie Hall “Genius of Autism”- performed with world renowned opera singer Leona Mitchell
2010 Oct, Salmagundi Art Gallery, New York " Strokes of Genius" (featured artist and speaker)
2010 High school my musical " Oklahoma" (I played the part of Gertie Cummins.)________
2010 South Ocean Art Gallery, Freeport, Long Island, New York
2010 VSA CVS "All Kids Can Create" Oklahoma Winner
2009 Honored to be recognized and spoke before the Oklahoma State Senate - exhibited art in Senate Lounge
2009 "Art First Exhibit" Princeton University May 2nd- June 12th, "A Stroke of Genius Art Exhibit" United Nations Plaza
2008 Recipient "Outstanding Individual with Autism of the Year" (scholarship)
2008 Sang at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas (Lili Claire Foundation) gave the founders my painting of the late Lili Claire.
2008 Spoke at the United Nations and showcased my art for the "Inaugural World Autism Awareness Day"
2008 Honored to give Former President George W. Bush my painting of "Our Flag Was Still There"
2008 Honored to give my painting of "God Bless the USA" to First Lady of Nevada Dawn Gibbons.
2006 Honored to give Former First Lady Nancy Reagan my painting of a portrait of the late President Ronald Reagan to be in the archives of The Ronald Reagan Library Presidential Library.
2007-2006 National American Miss National Volunteer Service Award - 2008-2007 State Spokes model Winner
BOOKS, MAGAZINES and Television: (PERSONAL STORY WITH ART)
2010 " Islands of Genius" by Dr. Harold Treffert, PHD, Wisconsin Medical Society (story and art)
2010 "Scholastic Scope Magazine ( my story and art)
2009 "The Art of Autism" by Debbie Hosseini and Dr. Rosa Martinez and "Drawing Autism" by Jill Mullens, PHD
2007 "Girls Under the Umbrella" book by: Dr. Lori Ernsperger and Danielle Wendell (Art on cover of book) (story with art and poem in book- "Middler Leader's Guide", Faith & Life Resources (Mennonite Publishing Network)
2006 "A Girl's Guide to Achieving in the Arts by: Dr. Kristen Stephens and Dr. Frances Karnes, Royal Fireworks Press
2006 "Woman's World Magazine" (2 pages feature story and art)
2006 (July Kid of the Month) "Amazing Kids E Magazine" (Calif.), (feature story with art)
2007-2006 "Pearls Magazine" (Australia), KSBI TV (feature story) & Oklahoma's Most Talented Kids
COMMUNITY SERVICE AND ART:
2010- Ronald Reagan Award Event to honor Mr. Lew Ward ( presented speech, a song and a work of art.)
2010-2005 CMN-CMRI- Radiothons, Telethons, Fashion Show, "Dancing for a Miracle". Sponsors Kick Off Meetings
2010 "Performers on the Rise " OSU (performed, showcased and donated art)
2010-2006 Performed and donated my art for retirement communities and other organizations in my hometown
2010-2005 Political Events with U.S. & State Senators & Congressmen to encourage awareness & research for Autism
2009-2006 "Sitting Pretty Luncheon", Enid (performed & showcased art and donated art for auction)benefititng: Abounding Grace Ministries, Relay for Life and the Mommy Store
2007- 2006 Served in St Francis Xavier Catholic Church's "Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen"
2006 St. Joseph's Catholic Hospital and Dickinson University, "Partners in Parenting" Dickinson, North Dakota
2006 Salvation Army Broken Arrow, Okla. (donated art to silent auction) to benefit the "Boys and Girls Clubs of America"
*reprinted with permission
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