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Former Yankee among those expected at gala to help hearing-impaired in Mountain Lakes | dailyrecord.com | Daily Record
Alyssa Davis has suffered from moderate hearing loss for much of her life but that hasn't stunted her drive.
Despite wearing hearing aids, the 17 year old is a standout student at Mountain Lakes High School. She recently participated in the Academic Bowl and earned a perfect score of 36 in the reading section of her ACT college entrance exam.
If her studies aren't enough to keep her busy, Davis trains three times a week for the New York Marathon, which she hopes to run in November. Running is one of her favorite activities.
"I like winning the medals," she said. Her ambitions, she said, were made possible by the early intervention programs she enrolled in as a kid at the Lake Drive School in Mountain Lakes.
The school, which opened in 1969, helps children suffering from deafness learn subjects and life skills through speech therapy, mental health services, audiologists and proper nutrition. The school also provides physical and occupational therapy when needed.
One of Lake Drive School's biggest supporters is Curtis Pride, a former New York Yankee who will be honored on May 13 at the school's fund-raising gala that will take place at the Villa on Route 46. The gala seeks to raise funds for the foundation's "Sound Start Early Intervention Program" for babies who are deaf or have difficulty hearing. To date, the program has helped more than 1,000 babies.
While the state funds cover some of the costs of the school's services, it rarely covers the entire cost. That's where fundraising events can play a vital role in filling the gaps. according to school officials..
Davis is among several students who had benefitted from the long-running program.
"If I didn't start as early as I did, my speech would have been more delayed," she said.
Once students reach high-school age, they attend classes at Mountain Lakes High School with their peers. The goal of these classes is to learn the subjects in a mainstream environment, to not feel stigmatized by their hearing impairment. The classes are usually small and the teachers use sign language to communicate.
Sueann Sylvester, a fund development specialist for the school, said that despite the obvious challenges, many hearing-impaired students have gone on to lead successful lives, landing good jobs and starting families.
Davis is one example. In the fall, she will attend Marywood University in Scranton, Pa., to study speech pathology. She will receive $16,000 each year in scholarship funds for the five-year program.
Julie Lazeration, who teaches math to Davis and about 40 other deaf students, spoke highly of Alyssa.
"She is very motivated," she said. "She is always prepared. She will be successful in life because she has a strong desire. Whatever goals are in her mind, she goes for them."
She is especially looking forward to running the New York Marathon. She already completed two of the 26.2-mile running competitions in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, Pa. If she runs the New York race, she said she will raise money for the North Shore Animal League. On a typical weekend, she does practice runs of up to 20 miles.
Davis said one of the most important things for people with disabilities to remember is to not give up hope for the future when the present seems difficult.
"Everything happens for a reason," she said.
Alyssa Davis has suffered from moderate hearing loss for much of her life but that hasn't stunted her drive.
Despite wearing hearing aids, the 17 year old is a standout student at Mountain Lakes High School. She recently participated in the Academic Bowl and earned a perfect score of 36 in the reading section of her ACT college entrance exam.
If her studies aren't enough to keep her busy, Davis trains three times a week for the New York Marathon, which she hopes to run in November. Running is one of her favorite activities.
"I like winning the medals," she said. Her ambitions, she said, were made possible by the early intervention programs she enrolled in as a kid at the Lake Drive School in Mountain Lakes.
The school, which opened in 1969, helps children suffering from deafness learn subjects and life skills through speech therapy, mental health services, audiologists and proper nutrition. The school also provides physical and occupational therapy when needed.
One of Lake Drive School's biggest supporters is Curtis Pride, a former New York Yankee who will be honored on May 13 at the school's fund-raising gala that will take place at the Villa on Route 46. The gala seeks to raise funds for the foundation's "Sound Start Early Intervention Program" for babies who are deaf or have difficulty hearing. To date, the program has helped more than 1,000 babies.
While the state funds cover some of the costs of the school's services, it rarely covers the entire cost. That's where fundraising events can play a vital role in filling the gaps. according to school officials..
Davis is among several students who had benefitted from the long-running program.
"If I didn't start as early as I did, my speech would have been more delayed," she said.
Once students reach high-school age, they attend classes at Mountain Lakes High School with their peers. The goal of these classes is to learn the subjects in a mainstream environment, to not feel stigmatized by their hearing impairment. The classes are usually small and the teachers use sign language to communicate.
Sueann Sylvester, a fund development specialist for the school, said that despite the obvious challenges, many hearing-impaired students have gone on to lead successful lives, landing good jobs and starting families.
Davis is one example. In the fall, she will attend Marywood University in Scranton, Pa., to study speech pathology. She will receive $16,000 each year in scholarship funds for the five-year program.
Julie Lazeration, who teaches math to Davis and about 40 other deaf students, spoke highly of Alyssa.
"She is very motivated," she said. "She is always prepared. She will be successful in life because she has a strong desire. Whatever goals are in her mind, she goes for them."
She is especially looking forward to running the New York Marathon. She already completed two of the 26.2-mile running competitions in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, Pa. If she runs the New York race, she said she will raise money for the North Shore Animal League. On a typical weekend, she does practice runs of up to 20 miles.
Davis said one of the most important things for people with disabilities to remember is to not give up hope for the future when the present seems difficult.
"Everything happens for a reason," she said.