Miss-Delectable

Ohio.com - Deafness can't silence the beauty

Stevie Wonder will never see Akron's Tiana Willis.

And the 14-year-old deaf girl will never hear the blind man's incredibly beautiful music.

Even so, that's not stopping Tiana from moving — and in perfect rhythm, no less — to Wonder's spirited songs.

As the title of a Wonder song suggests, she Knocks Me Off My Feet just watching her and all that she's been able to accomplish.

I saw Tiana, part of the Ellet High School band's eight-member Flag Team, in action last week during the ''Thank You'' concert at the school.

She was all that Mary Jo Mohlmaster — a sign-language interpreter with Akron Public Schools — promised and more.

Here is a little of Tiana's back story, as shared by Mohlmaster:

''Tiana Willis is a 14-year-old 'miracle' girl who has surprised us all beyond our wildest imaginings.

''She has always been deaf, nonverbal, behind the scenes. Never noticed or acknowledged for what she does every day. Yet her artistic ability and her beauty and her charm light up the room and captivate your heart.

''Tiana took interest in Flag Team last spring, in gym class. Theresa Rousculp — her famous color guard teacher/mentor and inspiration — took it upon herself to teach Tiana some basic flag routine steps.

''To all of our surprise, Tiana took to the flag routines like a bird first given an opportunity to fly!

''Her teacher of three years, Becky Oram, then saw to it that Tiana became not only recognized for her artistic ability but also her flag ability. Becky would pick up Tiana for every Flag Team practice all summer, through heat and rain, then summer camp with the band and eventually for the real deal, out to the football field. Theresa and Becky became a team. . . .They saw in Tiana, like with God's eyes, what she could become. Not just for who others saw her as.

''With the assistance of many sign-language interpreters, Tiana rose to the challenge and has blown us away.''

Team effort

Other members of the Flag Team cheering Tiana on are seniors Amber Jones (captain) and Tyleasha Blasdel; junior Caitlin Sutherland; sophomores Amber Ebie and Stephanie Vollmer; and freshmen Courtney Greene and Ariane Sprouse.

The freshman Tiana has made a believer out of everyone, including her mother, Denise Ruple, other family, friends and me, with her well-choreographed routine.

Tiana's success is what happens when you have that proverbial village behind you.

''We have all shed a tear, watching this quiet, timid child emerge into the color guard star of the season!'' Mohlmaster continued.

''Where some of the color guard team will throw their saber/sword into the air once or twice, Tiana amazes all with her three or four times spin in the air and unbelievably catching it every time! She is so amazing and deserving of the community's acknowledgment.''

Dressed in black pants and neon-bright patterned top, Tiana and her fellow Flag Team members dazzled their audience with their jazzy moves, using colored flags to accent their delivery.

Meeting challenges

To ensure she's in sync with everyone else — and she absolutely is — requires intense concentration since she's unable to hear the music.

That speaks to why she's not always as swift with a smile as her flag-waving counterparts.

Denise Ruple — smiling to beat the band — said her daughter ''is always up for challenges.''

Asked how she learns the routines, Tiana, through her interpreter, said, ''With my eyes watching.''

How do you feel the beat of the music? ''With my inside.''

How do you know all the routines? ''Practice! With lots and lots of help from Mrs. R. She has been amazing!''

Multiple helpers

How do you know the directions, learn the rhythm and beat? ''There were many different interpreters who signed the words to me, and Mrs. O. and Miss J. [assistant band director Tiffany Jacobs] were always there keeping me in line.''

Adam Grom is the band director.

''During the summer when it was hot, I did not always want to keep practicing,'' Tiana continued. ''I am stubborn. But Mrs. O., Mrs. R. and Miss J. are more stubborn then me. And they always had candy. Mmmm! I love candy.''

Her favorite Flag Team memory? ''I loved when my sister [Tenisha Willis] came to watch before she got on the airplane to go to Iraq.''

This family has much on its plate.

''She wants to play basketball next. We'll see!'' Tiana's mother said.

''Just to think, here I am struggling to learn sign language while Tiana is busy blowing us away,'' Rousculp observed.

Sounds like we've all come to know nothing is impossible with Tiana.

I only wish she could hear all the applause.

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