Miss-Delectable
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http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?storyid=48935
Celine Daze, a 15-year-old high school sophomore from Frederick, spends her spare time on her computer and pager, and does her homework "if I have time."
Zachary Ennis, a 16-year-old junior from Middletown, is passionate about politics and social studies. He has read the newspaper every day since he was in sixth grade.
The two were named Mr. and Miss Deaf Teen America 2006 on April 29 at a pageant in Spartanburg, S.C.
The two sat in a gazebo on the grounds at the Maryland School for the Deaf last week. Soft splashing of water in a nearby fountain was the only sound, but the courtyard was bustling. Students of all ages conversed, laughed and punched text-messages on their Sidekick pagers. A group of boys jumped off a low wall on the fountain.
Celine looked over her shoulder at the scene, laughed and said, "They're in my grade."
The two students were joined by Celine's mother, Janice Randall, and Zachary's father, David Ennis. All four are deaf; an American Sign Language interpreter translated their signed conversation.
Celine said she wanted to get involved with pageants when she came to MSD because she had been in a hearing pageant when she was little. For Zachary, the decision to participate was not as seamless.
"Before I joined the pageant, I thought it was a girl thing," he said. "Celine recruited me."
Zachary and Celine won the titles of Mr. and Miss Maryland School for the Deaf 2006 on March 24 and went on to compete with five other pairs from deaf schools across the United States for the national title.
Competitions in the national pageant include talent, confidential interview, onstage interview, state spotlight and evening gown.
"The competition was really good at nationals. I got to meet a lot people. It was also interesting how each school is different," Zachary said.
Hours of rehearsal required a lot of stamina. However, the most formidable aspect for Zachary was the dancing. "I struggled with that, but I made it through," he said.
Celine said having Zachary with her was very helpful.
"It was good to have someone by my side and to compete as a pair," she said.
Tension grew as the time came to declare the winners. Celine and Zachary were amazed when their names were announced.
Celine covered her mouth in shock, reliving how she felt at the moment. "Oh my gosh! I was so surprised. It was such a great feeling. It was like touching the moon!"
Zachary was also pleased their hard work had paid off. "Besides," he said, "my mom had rented a tux; I didn't want it to go to waste."
The pair also won for the best talent, a signed storytelling of "An Elephant's Life in Neverland," as well as the congeniality award.
Celine will travel to schools in other states this summer to share her pageant experiences and encourage students to get involved with community service.
She said the platform of deaf awareness makes the pageant important.
"By being Miss Deaf Teen 2006, I'll be exposed to other schools, and be exposed to the hearing world as well -- I can show them that we have pageants, we do stuff too."
Celine's mother participated in both hearing and deaf pageants in her youth.
"It was such a rich experience, and it's wonderful to see her following in my footsteps," said Ms. Randall. "I'm quite proud of her."
Celine said she wants to be involved with helping people after graduation.
"I know I want to go to Gallaudet," she said. "I'm not exactly sure what my major will be, maybe social work or teaching."
Zachary also plans to attend Gallaudet University in Washington, the nation's only university for the deaf and hard of hearing. He wants to study government or philosophy. "I hope to become a politician," he said.
David Ennis said of Zachary, "I was always proud of him since he was born, but of course I have two other sons, so I have to be equally proud."
The pageant has made Celine and Zachary more open to taking on new challenges. And for the most part, their friends have congratulated them -- without letting the titles go to their heads.
Zachary admitted, "Some call me Prince."
Celine Daze, a 15-year-old high school sophomore from Frederick, spends her spare time on her computer and pager, and does her homework "if I have time."
Zachary Ennis, a 16-year-old junior from Middletown, is passionate about politics and social studies. He has read the newspaper every day since he was in sixth grade.
The two were named Mr. and Miss Deaf Teen America 2006 on April 29 at a pageant in Spartanburg, S.C.
The two sat in a gazebo on the grounds at the Maryland School for the Deaf last week. Soft splashing of water in a nearby fountain was the only sound, but the courtyard was bustling. Students of all ages conversed, laughed and punched text-messages on their Sidekick pagers. A group of boys jumped off a low wall on the fountain.
Celine looked over her shoulder at the scene, laughed and said, "They're in my grade."
The two students were joined by Celine's mother, Janice Randall, and Zachary's father, David Ennis. All four are deaf; an American Sign Language interpreter translated their signed conversation.
Celine said she wanted to get involved with pageants when she came to MSD because she had been in a hearing pageant when she was little. For Zachary, the decision to participate was not as seamless.
"Before I joined the pageant, I thought it was a girl thing," he said. "Celine recruited me."
Zachary and Celine won the titles of Mr. and Miss Maryland School for the Deaf 2006 on March 24 and went on to compete with five other pairs from deaf schools across the United States for the national title.
Competitions in the national pageant include talent, confidential interview, onstage interview, state spotlight and evening gown.
"The competition was really good at nationals. I got to meet a lot people. It was also interesting how each school is different," Zachary said.
Hours of rehearsal required a lot of stamina. However, the most formidable aspect for Zachary was the dancing. "I struggled with that, but I made it through," he said.
Celine said having Zachary with her was very helpful.
"It was good to have someone by my side and to compete as a pair," she said.
Tension grew as the time came to declare the winners. Celine and Zachary were amazed when their names were announced.
Celine covered her mouth in shock, reliving how she felt at the moment. "Oh my gosh! I was so surprised. It was such a great feeling. It was like touching the moon!"
Zachary was also pleased their hard work had paid off. "Besides," he said, "my mom had rented a tux; I didn't want it to go to waste."
The pair also won for the best talent, a signed storytelling of "An Elephant's Life in Neverland," as well as the congeniality award.
Celine will travel to schools in other states this summer to share her pageant experiences and encourage students to get involved with community service.
She said the platform of deaf awareness makes the pageant important.
"By being Miss Deaf Teen 2006, I'll be exposed to other schools, and be exposed to the hearing world as well -- I can show them that we have pageants, we do stuff too."
Celine's mother participated in both hearing and deaf pageants in her youth.
"It was such a rich experience, and it's wonderful to see her following in my footsteps," said Ms. Randall. "I'm quite proud of her."
Celine said she wants to be involved with helping people after graduation.
"I know I want to go to Gallaudet," she said. "I'm not exactly sure what my major will be, maybe social work or teaching."
Zachary also plans to attend Gallaudet University in Washington, the nation's only university for the deaf and hard of hearing. He wants to study government or philosophy. "I hope to become a politician," he said.
David Ennis said of Zachary, "I was always proud of him since he was born, but of course I have two other sons, so I have to be equally proud."
The pageant has made Celine and Zachary more open to taking on new challenges. And for the most part, their friends have congratulated them -- without letting the titles go to their heads.
Zachary admitted, "Some call me Prince."