Miss-Delectable
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SouthJerseyLocalNews.com
To Staci Greenberg, her daughter is an example of how much children can achieve when given the proper support and resources.
Peri Himsel, 15, is deaf. Five years ago, Greenberg began investigating several schools that were operating programs for deaf students. Eventually, they settled on Glen Landing Middle School which offered support for deaf students through the Gloucester County Special Services. With the support of both teachers and interpreters, Greenberg felt that her daughter was exactly where she needed to be.
Peri excelled in school, graduating middle school with honors and eventually developing an interest in Latin and the Latin Club.
Recently, Peri and 13 other Clearview Latin students were part of the New Jersey Delegation of the NJJCL, which competed at the National Junior Classical League Convention at Miami University of Ohio.
This is what happens when a deaf 15 year old receives the services she requires; she gets to be a teenager like everyone else," said Greenberg. "The fact that she's so successful in the things she's doing like school and Latin club, is just amazing."
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During the competition, Peri placed first in the Colored Ink Drawing category for grade nine and placed ninth in the Original Essay category for grade nine.
"I did a colored pencil drawing prior to the convention and entered it there, at the convention itself I took a mythology test and placed 25th, and also took up a written essay contest and placed ninth," says Peri excitedly.
Soon to be a sophomore in high school, Peri will be entering her second year in Latin and the Latin Club. She explains that she had always been interested in Roman and Greek culture, and took up Latin at her mother's suggestion.
"I do love learning languages, but I think Latin is a special one," said Peri. "Since I took up Latin I start to notice how Latin is connected to a lot of other languages."
To attend the conference Peri received an interpreter, Courtney Fast, who communicated what had been said via the loudspeaker or any other way by verbally. She was available the entire time to keep Peri informed and up to speed.
Initially, there was confusion regarding whether or not Peri would be provided with an interpreter to attend the event. But in the end, Gloucester County Special Services provided her with the necessary assistance; something that both Peri and her mother are grateful for.
"It would be so easy for these kids to get discounted. It happens all the time everywhere. Look what happens when special services supports a kid who wanted to compete in this competition like all the other high school kids," said Greenberg.
And because of this assistance, she is already planning for next year's competition.
"It was an awesome experience. I plan to go next year, and if I make it to Latin 3 hopefully I'll continue going," said Peri. "I met a few people that signed and my friends I met there were really cool about it. I taught them some cool signs during the general assemblies. I think a lot people have gotten the idea that deaf people aren't helpless."
To Staci Greenberg, her daughter is an example of how much children can achieve when given the proper support and resources.
Peri Himsel, 15, is deaf. Five years ago, Greenberg began investigating several schools that were operating programs for deaf students. Eventually, they settled on Glen Landing Middle School which offered support for deaf students through the Gloucester County Special Services. With the support of both teachers and interpreters, Greenberg felt that her daughter was exactly where she needed to be.
Peri excelled in school, graduating middle school with honors and eventually developing an interest in Latin and the Latin Club.
Recently, Peri and 13 other Clearview Latin students were part of the New Jersey Delegation of the NJJCL, which competed at the National Junior Classical League Convention at Miami University of Ohio.
This is what happens when a deaf 15 year old receives the services she requires; she gets to be a teenager like everyone else," said Greenberg. "The fact that she's so successful in the things she's doing like school and Latin club, is just amazing."
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During the competition, Peri placed first in the Colored Ink Drawing category for grade nine and placed ninth in the Original Essay category for grade nine.
"I did a colored pencil drawing prior to the convention and entered it there, at the convention itself I took a mythology test and placed 25th, and also took up a written essay contest and placed ninth," says Peri excitedly.
Soon to be a sophomore in high school, Peri will be entering her second year in Latin and the Latin Club. She explains that she had always been interested in Roman and Greek culture, and took up Latin at her mother's suggestion.
"I do love learning languages, but I think Latin is a special one," said Peri. "Since I took up Latin I start to notice how Latin is connected to a lot of other languages."
To attend the conference Peri received an interpreter, Courtney Fast, who communicated what had been said via the loudspeaker or any other way by verbally. She was available the entire time to keep Peri informed and up to speed.
Initially, there was confusion regarding whether or not Peri would be provided with an interpreter to attend the event. But in the end, Gloucester County Special Services provided her with the necessary assistance; something that both Peri and her mother are grateful for.
"It would be so easy for these kids to get discounted. It happens all the time everywhere. Look what happens when special services supports a kid who wanted to compete in this competition like all the other high school kids," said Greenberg.
And because of this assistance, she is already planning for next year's competition.
"It was an awesome experience. I plan to go next year, and if I make it to Latin 3 hopefully I'll continue going," said Peri. "I met a few people that signed and my friends I met there were really cool about it. I taught them some cool signs during the general assemblies. I think a lot people have gotten the idea that deaf people aren't helpless."