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Deaf student honored for achievement in classroom | StatesmanJournal.com | Statesman Journal
There is a difference between hearing and listening, just ask Sarah Leslie of Silverton.
The 18-year-old was born deaf. She wears hearing aids in both ears and can hear some sounds but others are harder to detect.
Despite her disability, she has learned to be a good listener.
"I have to be very assertive in an academic situation," Leslie said. "I have to make sure that I know what's going on and what's being said. I have to listen more carefully and really be aware of my surroundings."
Those efforts have resulted in a 3.88 GPA and recent induction into the National Honor Society. It also caught the attention of the Council for Exceptional Children.
Each year, CEC honors students with disabilities who have excelled. Of the 300 nominees nationwide this year, 27 were chosen. Awards are given in nine categories. Leslie is being honored for her academic achievements.
"This is quite an honor," CEC spokeswoman Anna Baker said. "The program has been around for about 30 years. It grows more and more competitive each year."
Leslie will receive her award at a ceremony April 3 in Seattle.
She is currently finishing her senior year at Sprague High School in Salem.
For many of her classes, she is accompanied by an interpreter. She also uses the Typewell transcription system.
"I like it but it has a little bit of a delay, so I prefer the interpreter more," Leslie said. "And it's more of a relationship with the interpreter and myself."
Speech classes also have been a constant during her schooling.
She is enrolled in advanced placement and honors classes in English, humanities, history and chemistry.
"It's not really that much of a challenge if you do your homework and you get it in," Leslie said. "Also my parents have been really helpful, especially my mom."
"Because of (Leslie's) diligence she has changed people's perceptions and expectations for deaf and hard-of-hearing students," said Eleni Boston, the coordinator for special programs for the Willamette Education Service District.
Science teacher Karen Koepl said Leslie is thorough and meticulous with everything she does.
(2 of 2)
"If she starts something she always finishes it, and it's done beautifully," Koepl said. "She takes school very seriously ... ."
Her hearing impairment has taken a toll on her social life, Leslie said. Group settings are challenging.
"This school year is better than others, I'm interacting more with my peers," she said. "In the past, I was known as the 'deaf kid.' "
That's why she's excited about attending Bethel University in St. Paul, Minn., this fall. It will give her an opportunity to start fresh.
"I'm ready to get out of this area because I feel like I'm constrained to be this one person," she said. "I'm ready for a new setting and the chance to be somebody else."
She plans to major in international relations and reconciliation.
Her mother, Lisa Leslie, a teacher, said she knows many "incredible" students who are the same age as her daughter.
"It's sometimes hard to think about what makes your own kid special," she said. "The difference with Sarah is that she has had to get past this constant issue with communication and she has constantly had to overcome the misperception of her disability."
"If she starts something she always finishes it, and it's done beautifully," Koepl said. "She takes school very seriously ... ."
Her hearing impairment has taken a toll on her social life, Leslie said. Group settings are challenging.
"This school year is better than others, I'm interacting more with my peers," she said. "In the past, I was known as the 'deaf kid.' "
That's why she's excited about attending Bethel University in St. Paul, Minn., this fall. It will give her an opportunity to start fresh.
"I'm ready to get out of this area because I feel like I'm constrained to be this one person," she said. "I'm ready for a new setting and the chance to be somebody else."
She plans to major in international relations and reconciliation.
Her mother, Lisa Leslie, a teacher, said she knows many "incredible" students who are the same age as her daughter.
"It's sometimes hard to think about what makes your own kid special," she said. "The difference with Sarah is that she has had to get past this constant issue with communication and she has constantly had to overcome the misperception of her disability."
There is a difference between hearing and listening, just ask Sarah Leslie of Silverton.
The 18-year-old was born deaf. She wears hearing aids in both ears and can hear some sounds but others are harder to detect.
Despite her disability, she has learned to be a good listener.
"I have to be very assertive in an academic situation," Leslie said. "I have to make sure that I know what's going on and what's being said. I have to listen more carefully and really be aware of my surroundings."
Those efforts have resulted in a 3.88 GPA and recent induction into the National Honor Society. It also caught the attention of the Council for Exceptional Children.
Each year, CEC honors students with disabilities who have excelled. Of the 300 nominees nationwide this year, 27 were chosen. Awards are given in nine categories. Leslie is being honored for her academic achievements.
"This is quite an honor," CEC spokeswoman Anna Baker said. "The program has been around for about 30 years. It grows more and more competitive each year."
Leslie will receive her award at a ceremony April 3 in Seattle.
She is currently finishing her senior year at Sprague High School in Salem.
For many of her classes, she is accompanied by an interpreter. She also uses the Typewell transcription system.
"I like it but it has a little bit of a delay, so I prefer the interpreter more," Leslie said. "And it's more of a relationship with the interpreter and myself."
Speech classes also have been a constant during her schooling.
She is enrolled in advanced placement and honors classes in English, humanities, history and chemistry.
"It's not really that much of a challenge if you do your homework and you get it in," Leslie said. "Also my parents have been really helpful, especially my mom."
"Because of (Leslie's) diligence she has changed people's perceptions and expectations for deaf and hard-of-hearing students," said Eleni Boston, the coordinator for special programs for the Willamette Education Service District.
Science teacher Karen Koepl said Leslie is thorough and meticulous with everything she does.
(2 of 2)
"If she starts something she always finishes it, and it's done beautifully," Koepl said. "She takes school very seriously ... ."
Her hearing impairment has taken a toll on her social life, Leslie said. Group settings are challenging.
"This school year is better than others, I'm interacting more with my peers," she said. "In the past, I was known as the 'deaf kid.' "
That's why she's excited about attending Bethel University in St. Paul, Minn., this fall. It will give her an opportunity to start fresh.
"I'm ready to get out of this area because I feel like I'm constrained to be this one person," she said. "I'm ready for a new setting and the chance to be somebody else."
She plans to major in international relations and reconciliation.
Her mother, Lisa Leslie, a teacher, said she knows many "incredible" students who are the same age as her daughter.
"It's sometimes hard to think about what makes your own kid special," she said. "The difference with Sarah is that she has had to get past this constant issue with communication and she has constantly had to overcome the misperception of her disability."
"If she starts something she always finishes it, and it's done beautifully," Koepl said. "She takes school very seriously ... ."
Her hearing impairment has taken a toll on her social life, Leslie said. Group settings are challenging.
"This school year is better than others, I'm interacting more with my peers," she said. "In the past, I was known as the 'deaf kid.' "
That's why she's excited about attending Bethel University in St. Paul, Minn., this fall. It will give her an opportunity to start fresh.
"I'm ready to get out of this area because I feel like I'm constrained to be this one person," she said. "I'm ready for a new setting and the chance to be somebody else."
She plans to major in international relations and reconciliation.
Her mother, Lisa Leslie, a teacher, said she knows many "incredible" students who are the same age as her daughter.
"It's sometimes hard to think about what makes your own kid special," she said. "The difference with Sarah is that she has had to get past this constant issue with communication and she has constantly had to overcome the misperception of her disability."