Florida News
SARINA PATEL OF TAMPA RECEIVES HIGHEST NATIONAL YOUNGARTS FOUNDATION AWARD FOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN SPOKEN WORD
Sarina Patel of Tampa from Carrollwood Day School has been named a 2021 National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) Finalist in Spoken Word, the organization’s highest honor. Patel joins 659 of the nation’s most accomplished artists in the visual, literary and performing arts. She was selected by an esteemed discipline-specific panel of artists through a rigorous blind adjudication process. YoungArts award winners gain access to one of the most comprehensive programs for artists in the United States and will have opportunities for financial, creative and professional development support throughout their entire careers.
“I am so honored to receive this national award,” said Patel “I never imagined that I would be the top 1 percent of writers selected for this distinction. The classes offered during YoungArts Week pushed me to challenge traditional definitions of artistry, both in the world and in my own art.”
Patel will receive a cash prize up to $10,000 and the opportunity to learn from leading artists such as Debbie Allen, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Frank Gehry, Wynton Marsalis, Salman Rushdie and Mickalene Thomas. She is also eligible for exclusive creative and professional development support including a wide range of fellowships, residencies and awards; virtual and in-person presentation opportunities in collaboration with major venues nationwide.
As a YoungArts award winner, she joins a distinguished group of accomplished artists including Timothée Chalamet, Viola Davis, Nicki Minaj, Hunter Schafer, and Kerry Washington.
National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) was established in 1981 by Lin and Ted Arison. YoungArts identifies the most accomplished young artists in the visual, literary and performing arts, and provides them with creative and professional development opportunities throughout their careers. For more information, visit www.youngarts.org
DR. NARESH KALRA OF TAMPA CHOSEN TO LEAD FLORIDA ACADEMY OF GENERAL DENTISTRY
Dr. Naresh Kalra takes the oath of office
in a virtual General Assembly meeting of FLAGD.
Dr. Naresh Kalra, founder of Agoka Dental and practicing at one location in Tampa for 27 years, has been elected as president of Florida Academy of General Dentistry, also known as Florida AGD or FLAGD.
Dr. Kalra has been actively volunteering for AGD at the Tampa component since 2010 and then moved on to Florida state level of AGD in 2013. Amid Covid-19, he is the first president of FLAGD, who was sworn in remotely in a virtual meeting for the volunteer position.
As president, Dr. Kalra is in charge of executing the mission of FLAGD, namely promoting improved delivery of patient care by fostering continuing education and increasing public awareness of quality dentistry and those who provide it in Florida. He will be in contact with government and professional organizations to advance the objectives and policies of FLAGD to serve as an advocate for general dentists. He is ultimately responsible to FLAGD members and has to submit an annual report to its General Assembly.
Dr. Naresh Kalra, left, along with FLAGD and FDA members,
lobbies Florida Rep. Amber Mariano for bills to improve quality dentistry.
The vision of FLAGD is to be the premier organization of general dentists, dedicated to improving the quality and delivery of comprehensive dental services, education, health promotion and wellness.