The Optimist International Foundation sponsors an annual D/HH Communication Contest for the State of Georgia.
We held the Cobb Co. School District Communication Contest
on March 3, 2016 at Simpson Middle School.
(Click on the photos to enlarge for viewing,
then "X" out at the top right corner.)
on March 3, 2016 at Simpson Middle School.
(Click on the photos to enlarge for viewing,
then "X" out at the top right corner.)
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| The Pledge photo by Barbara Okun |
The Contest is open to students from Kdg. to 12th grade. The six winners in this contest will then compete in the State contest and will have a chance to win/earn $2,500. towards their college education.
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| Participants for the Communication Contest photo by Barbara Okun |
This contest offers an opportunity for the D/HH Student to present their thoughts in the community, and gain skills which can only come from signing or speaking to a large audience.
Dr. Heidi Evans reminded us that, "the students were fabulous but of course, it's the work of the: Parents, Teachers, the Speech Teachers, the Paras, the Educational Interpreters, the Audiology Staff and the EPSs that have touched and bettered the lives of these young people."
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| photo by Barbara Okun |
This years topic was:
"How My Best Brings Out
the Best in Others."
the Best in Others."
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| photo by Barbara Okun |
We Thank the Optimist Club for giving our Students a chance to share their thoughts
and to "speak from their hearts!"
and to "speak from their hearts!"
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| photo by Barbara Okun |
As Dr. Heidi Evans, Supervisor
for Special Education noted,
"Today's D/HH Oratorical Contest was a
wonderful experience for everyone who was
fortunate enough to be able to participate.
for Special Education noted,
"Today's D/HH Oratorical Contest was a
wonderful experience for everyone who was
fortunate enough to be able to participate.
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| photo by Barbara Okun |
The students worked hard and demonstrated such poise and courage in standing up
to present their speeches in front of a room full
of strangers and their peers.
to present their speeches in front of a room full
of strangers and their peers.
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| photo by Barbara Okun |
Their stories were full of adversity about discovering when and how they became Hearing Impaired, hours and hours of Speech Therapy, experiencing frustration because they can't understand others or others can not understand them and being bullied!
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| photo by Barbara Okun |
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| photo by Barbara Okun |
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| photo by Barbara Okun |
Standing on the stage, sharing their stories
through speech and/or signing;
these Students continue to work to overcome these adversities."
through speech and/or signing;
these Students continue to work to overcome these adversities."
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| photo by Barbara Okun |
Some Students gave their speech verbally, while
an Interpreter signed for them.
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| photo by Barbara Okun |
Some students signed their speech.
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| The Winners for the Communication Contests! photo by Barbara Okun |
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| Our Interpreters! photo by Barbara Okun |
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| D/HH Teachers who helped and had students in the Contest! photo by Barbara Okun |
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| photo by S. VandeVelde |
Friends came to support their Friends!
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| photo by S. VandeVelde |
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| photo by S.VandeVelde |
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| photo by S. VandeVelde |
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| photo by S.VandeVelde |
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| photo by S. VandeVelde |
There were 26 D/HH Students who gave speeches
and scores of other students who
also took part in helping behind the scenes.
and scores of other students who
also took part in helping behind the scenes.
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| photo by S. VandeVelde |
NEXT YEAR!!!
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| BACK AT SCHOOL!! photo by Barbara Okun |
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| photo by Barbara Ukun |
Thank you Dr. Bobby Ealy for your dedicated work and time that went into organizing this event which gives our students a chance to see that they are not alone and that each student IS supported by so many who care!!
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Great Appreciation to
BARBARA OKUN
BARBARA OKUN
from Pine Mountain Middle School
for sharing your talent of photography!!
for sharing your talent of photography!!