Miss-Delectable
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Fulton Sun
When Laura Redding-Searing graduated from the Missouri School for the Deaf more than a century ago no one could have ever imagined the path she would take, or the influence she would have on MSD students today.
A pre-Civil War graduate, Redding-Searing went on to become a well-known journalist - which was practically unheard for any woman at that time, let alone one that was deaf.
The young writer reportedly held interviews with both Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant, using a slate tablet to communicate back and forth.
In honor of Deaf Awareness Week Sept. 24-27, members of the MSD National Honor Society are paying tribute to Redding-Searing's success by selling a compiled collection of her articles and poetry to give the public a glimpse of how influential the deaf can be.
“So many people view the deaf as being handicap, but they can do anything but hear,” said Betty Sullivan, a high school teacher at MSD's Wheeler Hall. “Raising awareness is what Deaf Awareness Week is all about - to show that the deaf are no different than the hearing; they can do things too.”
Deaf Awareness Week is recognized the last full week of September, in commemoration of the first World Congress of the Deaf held that week in 1951. The purpose of the seven-day homage is to draw attention to deaf people, their accomplishments and their issues.
Sullivan and MSD drama teacher Lucille Blackwell - who also is deaf - got permission from the Redding-Searing family to use the book project as a way to raise awareness about deafness, and teach their students the importance of interacting with the hearing community.
“Communication between the deaf and hearing community is very important, and the Fulton community does so much for our campus,” Sullivan noted. “(Projects like this) teach the kids leadership skills and why community service is an important part of their lives.”
Proceeds from the book sales, Sullivan said, will be used to do fund activities like MSD's annual November Turkey Trot, where the students run laps for pledges and then donate the money to SERVE, Inc. to help needy families at Thanksgiving.
Members of MSD's National Honor Society also host annual blood drives, send care packages to soldiers and donate to the RIF program to further demonstrate how much the “deaf can and deaf do” make a difference, Sullivan said.
Currently Redding-Searing's book of poetry is only being sold to MSD faculty and students, but soon it will be available to the public at a cost of $25 for local residents and $35 for out-of-state buyers, who wish to have their copy mailed.
“We have a limited edition of 100 copies that we will be selling, so if anyone wants one they need to act fast,” Sullivan said.
Other activities being held on the MSD campus this week include a workshop session and performance by professional deaf mime, J.J. Jones of Kansas City.
Wednesday at 1 p.m., Jones will conduct a workshop on campus for MSD's drama students, teaching them how mimes perform. Later that evening, he will hold a free performance for the public at 6:30 p.m. in Ingle Auditorium. Sullivan encourages the community to attend.
When Laura Redding-Searing graduated from the Missouri School for the Deaf more than a century ago no one could have ever imagined the path she would take, or the influence she would have on MSD students today.
A pre-Civil War graduate, Redding-Searing went on to become a well-known journalist - which was practically unheard for any woman at that time, let alone one that was deaf.
The young writer reportedly held interviews with both Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant, using a slate tablet to communicate back and forth.
In honor of Deaf Awareness Week Sept. 24-27, members of the MSD National Honor Society are paying tribute to Redding-Searing's success by selling a compiled collection of her articles and poetry to give the public a glimpse of how influential the deaf can be.
“So many people view the deaf as being handicap, but they can do anything but hear,” said Betty Sullivan, a high school teacher at MSD's Wheeler Hall. “Raising awareness is what Deaf Awareness Week is all about - to show that the deaf are no different than the hearing; they can do things too.”
Deaf Awareness Week is recognized the last full week of September, in commemoration of the first World Congress of the Deaf held that week in 1951. The purpose of the seven-day homage is to draw attention to deaf people, their accomplishments and their issues.
Sullivan and MSD drama teacher Lucille Blackwell - who also is deaf - got permission from the Redding-Searing family to use the book project as a way to raise awareness about deafness, and teach their students the importance of interacting with the hearing community.
“Communication between the deaf and hearing community is very important, and the Fulton community does so much for our campus,” Sullivan noted. “(Projects like this) teach the kids leadership skills and why community service is an important part of their lives.”
Proceeds from the book sales, Sullivan said, will be used to do fund activities like MSD's annual November Turkey Trot, where the students run laps for pledges and then donate the money to SERVE, Inc. to help needy families at Thanksgiving.
Members of MSD's National Honor Society also host annual blood drives, send care packages to soldiers and donate to the RIF program to further demonstrate how much the “deaf can and deaf do” make a difference, Sullivan said.
Currently Redding-Searing's book of poetry is only being sold to MSD faculty and students, but soon it will be available to the public at a cost of $25 for local residents and $35 for out-of-state buyers, who wish to have their copy mailed.
“We have a limited edition of 100 copies that we will be selling, so if anyone wants one they need to act fast,” Sullivan said.
Other activities being held on the MSD campus this week include a workshop session and performance by professional deaf mime, J.J. Jones of Kansas City.
Wednesday at 1 p.m., Jones will conduct a workshop on campus for MSD's drama students, teaching them how mimes perform. Later that evening, he will hold a free performance for the public at 6:30 p.m. in Ingle Auditorium. Sullivan encourages the community to attend.