Miss-Delectable
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http://www.pal-item.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051015/NEWS01/510150301/1008
She can't hear.
She can't speak.
But Brynn Kirklin had plenty to say to second and third-graders Friday morning at Westview Elementary.
Kirklin is a contestant in the Miss Deaf Indiana Pageant going on today at the Holiday Inn.
She and pageant director Joanna Witulski showed second-graders in Terri Price's class some basic sign language.
Thirty minutes later, they moved to Wendy Thompson's third-grade classroom for a question-and-answer session.
"I hope they are able to learn from us," said Kirklin, a 2005 graduate of North Central High School in Indianapolis.
Witulski, an Indiana University graduate currently seeking a masters degree, said the purpose is exposure.
"Hopefully, they'll be able to learn from deaf people," she said, "and learn to be comfortable around them."
Two students at Westview -- second-grader Loren Falcone and third-grader Amber Rourke -- are hearing impaired.
Loren said she liked learning sign language. "My favorite was (the sign for) alligator," she said as she made chomping motions with arms extended in front of her face. Loren uses hearing aids.
Amber was born deaf. A cochlear implant on her left side at age 2 allows her to hear most sounds and has helped her form almost normal speech. Another was implanted on her right side last month. She left school early Friday for doctors to fit her with an external receiver.
Basically, it meant the tall, freckle-cheeked youngster can finally hear life in surround sound.
"When I talk to new people," Amber said, "I can be shy."
Jennifer Taylor helped translate questions and answers. She teaches the hearing impaired at Richmond Community Schools.
"This shows people with any kind of disability can become successful and positive adults," Taylor said.
Second-grader Logan Grant also enjoyed learning to sign letters and numbers.
He made the sign for elephant: an open hand starts at the nose and rolls down like riding a wave. The motion simulates an elephant's long trunk.
Logan's big smile showed the impression made by Kirklin and Witulski.
"I thought it was pretty OK," Logan said.
She can't hear.
She can't speak.
But Brynn Kirklin had plenty to say to second and third-graders Friday morning at Westview Elementary.
Kirklin is a contestant in the Miss Deaf Indiana Pageant going on today at the Holiday Inn.
She and pageant director Joanna Witulski showed second-graders in Terri Price's class some basic sign language.
Thirty minutes later, they moved to Wendy Thompson's third-grade classroom for a question-and-answer session.
"I hope they are able to learn from us," said Kirklin, a 2005 graduate of North Central High School in Indianapolis.
Witulski, an Indiana University graduate currently seeking a masters degree, said the purpose is exposure.
"Hopefully, they'll be able to learn from deaf people," she said, "and learn to be comfortable around them."
Two students at Westview -- second-grader Loren Falcone and third-grader Amber Rourke -- are hearing impaired.
Loren said she liked learning sign language. "My favorite was (the sign for) alligator," she said as she made chomping motions with arms extended in front of her face. Loren uses hearing aids.
Amber was born deaf. A cochlear implant on her left side at age 2 allows her to hear most sounds and has helped her form almost normal speech. Another was implanted on her right side last month. She left school early Friday for doctors to fit her with an external receiver.
Basically, it meant the tall, freckle-cheeked youngster can finally hear life in surround sound.
"When I talk to new people," Amber said, "I can be shy."
Jennifer Taylor helped translate questions and answers. She teaches the hearing impaired at Richmond Community Schools.
"This shows people with any kind of disability can become successful and positive adults," Taylor said.
Second-grader Logan Grant also enjoyed learning to sign letters and numbers.
He made the sign for elephant: an open hand starts at the nose and rolls down like riding a wave. The motion simulates an elephant's long trunk.
Logan's big smile showed the impression made by Kirklin and Witulski.
"I thought it was pretty OK," Logan said.
