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http://www.couriernews.com/story.asp?ID=10109
Elizabeth Moore, daughter of Sam and Tammy Moore of Russellville and a senior at the Arkansas School for the Deaf in Little Rock, was recently crowned Miss Deaf Arkansas. Moore was also chosen homecoming queen on Nov. 5, a day after she won the Miss Deaf Arkansas Title.
The Miss Deaf Arkansas competition is a preliminary for the Miss Deaf America Pageant, sponsored by the National Association of the Deaf. According to the pageant’s Web site, the program, “offers young women between the ages of 18 and 28 an opportunity to develop self-confidence as they compete to become a goodwill ambassador and spokeswoman of the National Association of the Deaf. The goal is to encourage and foster future leaders and is part of the youth programs of the NAD.”
As Miss Deaf Arkansas, Moore will travel throughout the state making presentations to various civic clubs and groups as well as working to raise funds for her trip to the national competition July 3 in Palm Springs, Calif.
Recently she was on stage during Silent Sunday, an annual fund-raising event for the Arkansas School for the Deaf that features food samplings from members of the Central Arkansas Independent Restaurant Owners organization. Proceeds help to purchase technological equipment to aid students in the classroom.
Moore also works to help hearing people understand deaf culture, history and promote deaf individuals to take pride in themselves. She also works to encourage people to be involved.
When asked what she meant by “deaf culture,” Moore explained deaf and hard of hearing individuals have their own language (American Sign Language), are very visual and oftentimes use a lot of technology. Also, for many, the history of deafness and the history behind how technology and their learning institutions were established are very important. Many deaf individuals have attended residential schools.
Moore has been attending the Arkansas School for the Deaf since her freshman year. She shared how it was extremely difficult for her to become involved in the usual activities hearing people take for granted while attending public school.
“It’s very limiting for a deaf student,” Moore signed.
For example, when the group of friends she was eating lunch with would suddenly laugh about something, she would ask what happened. Their reply was often “It’s not that important,” rather than take the time to relay the situation to her.
In the classroom, Moore would find herself frustrated by having to rely solely on an interpreter to understand what was being taught in class. When she would try to look at the teacher to see what was being demonstrated, she would miss what was being said because she was not watching her interpreter.
Since attending the Arkansas School for the Deaf, Moore has found it less frustrating in class. By using visual aids and technology, they make it easier for students to understand, according to Moore.
“I’m able to see everything. We have everything we need,” Moore signed. “And the teachers sign.”
“Looking back when I was a kid, I was motivated. But in public school it was harder for me to socialize. Education was hard to access. I always thought of myself as limited. But I found out I was wrong. I am able to be involved. I had many more opportunities (at the Arkansas School for the Deaf).”
Attending the Arkansas School for the Deaf and being around others in the same situation has helped her become more involved in after-school activities and clubs.
“When I was in public school I was very limited,” Moore signed, “But at the Arkansas School for the Deaf we all do the same things. We have football, basektball, volleyball, cheerleading and different clubs.”
Moore is on the school’s cheerleading squad, which she proudly shared has won the Regional Great Plains Schools for the Deaf Championship four years in a row. She is a member of the Skills USA team which won second last year in state competition and is president of the senior class. She also serves as vice president of the student council.
When she is not busy with cheerleading, she spends her weekends at home with her parents and older brother, Brad.
Elizabeth Moore was born hard of hearing and became profoundly deaf as a young child.
Tammy Moore, her mother, is extremely proud of her daughter’s accomplishments and explained that in the beginning the family experienced many struggles.
“Not only were we being educated on deafness, but we also had to learn to be advocates to help educate others on the unique needs of the deaf. It is hard for me to reflect back and remember exactly when it seemed that our frustrations were all turned to joy. I love the language and I can honestly say that instead of asking why I have a deaf child. ... that I can now share that I am truly blessed to have a deaf child.”
Elizabeth Moore shared her favorite quote from Dr. I King Jordan, president of Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., in 1988: “Deaf people can do everything hearing people can do, except hear.”
After graduation, she plans to attend Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. where she plans to major in a program that will allow her to provide a service to the deaf community.
Anyone interested in sponsoring Elizabeth Moore for the Miss Deaf America Pageant can send a tax-deductible donation to the Arkansas Association of the Deaf/Miss Deaf Arkansas, Inc., P.O. box 55063, Little Rock, AR 72215-5063.
Elizabeth Moore, daughter of Sam and Tammy Moore of Russellville and a senior at the Arkansas School for the Deaf in Little Rock, was recently crowned Miss Deaf Arkansas. Moore was also chosen homecoming queen on Nov. 5, a day after she won the Miss Deaf Arkansas Title.
The Miss Deaf Arkansas competition is a preliminary for the Miss Deaf America Pageant, sponsored by the National Association of the Deaf. According to the pageant’s Web site, the program, “offers young women between the ages of 18 and 28 an opportunity to develop self-confidence as they compete to become a goodwill ambassador and spokeswoman of the National Association of the Deaf. The goal is to encourage and foster future leaders and is part of the youth programs of the NAD.”
As Miss Deaf Arkansas, Moore will travel throughout the state making presentations to various civic clubs and groups as well as working to raise funds for her trip to the national competition July 3 in Palm Springs, Calif.
Recently she was on stage during Silent Sunday, an annual fund-raising event for the Arkansas School for the Deaf that features food samplings from members of the Central Arkansas Independent Restaurant Owners organization. Proceeds help to purchase technological equipment to aid students in the classroom.
Moore also works to help hearing people understand deaf culture, history and promote deaf individuals to take pride in themselves. She also works to encourage people to be involved.
When asked what she meant by “deaf culture,” Moore explained deaf and hard of hearing individuals have their own language (American Sign Language), are very visual and oftentimes use a lot of technology. Also, for many, the history of deafness and the history behind how technology and their learning institutions were established are very important. Many deaf individuals have attended residential schools.
Moore has been attending the Arkansas School for the Deaf since her freshman year. She shared how it was extremely difficult for her to become involved in the usual activities hearing people take for granted while attending public school.
“It’s very limiting for a deaf student,” Moore signed.
For example, when the group of friends she was eating lunch with would suddenly laugh about something, she would ask what happened. Their reply was often “It’s not that important,” rather than take the time to relay the situation to her.
In the classroom, Moore would find herself frustrated by having to rely solely on an interpreter to understand what was being taught in class. When she would try to look at the teacher to see what was being demonstrated, she would miss what was being said because she was not watching her interpreter.
Since attending the Arkansas School for the Deaf, Moore has found it less frustrating in class. By using visual aids and technology, they make it easier for students to understand, according to Moore.
“I’m able to see everything. We have everything we need,” Moore signed. “And the teachers sign.”
“Looking back when I was a kid, I was motivated. But in public school it was harder for me to socialize. Education was hard to access. I always thought of myself as limited. But I found out I was wrong. I am able to be involved. I had many more opportunities (at the Arkansas School for the Deaf).”
Attending the Arkansas School for the Deaf and being around others in the same situation has helped her become more involved in after-school activities and clubs.
“When I was in public school I was very limited,” Moore signed, “But at the Arkansas School for the Deaf we all do the same things. We have football, basektball, volleyball, cheerleading and different clubs.”
Moore is on the school’s cheerleading squad, which she proudly shared has won the Regional Great Plains Schools for the Deaf Championship four years in a row. She is a member of the Skills USA team which won second last year in state competition and is president of the senior class. She also serves as vice president of the student council.
When she is not busy with cheerleading, she spends her weekends at home with her parents and older brother, Brad.
Elizabeth Moore was born hard of hearing and became profoundly deaf as a young child.
Tammy Moore, her mother, is extremely proud of her daughter’s accomplishments and explained that in the beginning the family experienced many struggles.
“Not only were we being educated on deafness, but we also had to learn to be advocates to help educate others on the unique needs of the deaf. It is hard for me to reflect back and remember exactly when it seemed that our frustrations were all turned to joy. I love the language and I can honestly say that instead of asking why I have a deaf child. ... that I can now share that I am truly blessed to have a deaf child.”
Elizabeth Moore shared her favorite quote from Dr. I King Jordan, president of Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., in 1988: “Deaf people can do everything hearing people can do, except hear.”
After graduation, she plans to attend Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. where she plans to major in a program that will allow her to provide a service to the deaf community.
Anyone interested in sponsoring Elizabeth Moore for the Miss Deaf America Pageant can send a tax-deductible donation to the Arkansas Association of the Deaf/Miss Deaf Arkansas, Inc., P.O. box 55063, Little Rock, AR 72215-5063.