Jr. NADmag Winter 2020

JR.NAD MAG

"We "We Are Are In In This This TOGETHER!" TOGETHER!"

f a e D e h t r o f l o o h c S y r a d n o c e S l Mode R E V O E K A T r e t p a h Jr . N A D C Winter 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS MSSD Editorial Team A message from MSSD's Jr. NAD President School in 2020 Interview with Rodney from Deaf U 2020 Election Jr. NAD Delegates Webinar #BlackLivesMatter Covid-19 Precautions 2

MSSD JR. NAD OFFICERS

Aubrie Bauer, President

Ryan Kennedy, Vice President

Zora Elliott-Mendelson, Secretary

Savannah Jones, Public Relations

Brian Kelson, Sponsor

Coffey King, Editor

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Aloha teenagers from all over this country, Hola, I am Aubrie Bauer! I am the Jr. NAD President at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf in Washington, DC. It is my fourth year as a student here already! I am seventeen, a senior, and a female. I am also here to share some advice to get through this pandemic. I hope the advice will help you, too!

I know all of us are extremely bored during quarantining. Guess what? You are not the only one because I am bored too! Here are some ideas what I usually do when I am bored... I organize my closet. I know you may find this weird, but when you finish cleaning. I promise you'll feel GREAT! It'll be easier for you to pick out your clothes!

If the weather allows, I go out for a bike ride! I tend to go out for a ride on my favorite trail near my home area. It is extremely satisfying. BONUS: you can also keep yourself in shape. If you're interested, I highly recommend to download the Strava app! It'll tell you how long you biked, your heart rate, and etc. It also motivates me to ride bike even more when I see my friends on the app riding bike everyday!

Still bored? Don't worry because I have another idea! Bake some goods or cook dinner for your family or loved ones! Bake something you've never tried before.

Challenge yourself with different kind of food. You may never know it'll end up as your new favorite food! My favorite dessert that I baked was a bundle of Cheerios, marshmallows and M&M's. It was so goooooooood, y'all! I encourage you all to bake something that is also healthy.

Most importantly, take care of yourself. Your mental health matters. I am pretty sure that this quarantine has made an impact on all of your lives. This pandemic is not easy. I want to make sure you all know that you are not alone. I am here. Your family is here. Your friends are here. We all will get through this together and tell this crazy story to our grandkids in the future!

Aubrie Bauer Jr. NAD President, Senior Model Secondary School for the Deaf

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SCHOOL IN Status: Back on campus

Status: Online

Zoe Abrams-Gay from Phoenix Day School for the Deaf

Justina Miles from Model Secondary School for the Deaf

Q: What's the status of returning back to school in-person?

Zoe: Status is in person but they may change back to online.

Q: How do you feel about this school year?

Zoe: School this year sucked for real because I didn't get to see my friends. It really gets boring, but there is less homework and I can hang out with new friends. Hopefully, next year will be better.

Q: What did you miss the most during the pre-coronavirus days that you couldn't do today?

Zoe: All of my volleyball games were cancelled.

I miss international studies. I miss the times where I got to hang out with my friends. I miss the sports events.

Q: What's the status of returning back to school in-person?

Justina: MSSD announced the earliest we can go back is on April 4th, so sadly, it's online for now.

Q: How do you feel about this school year?

Justina: I feel horrible about this school year. It was supposed to be a year of many memories and opportunities and that was crushed.

Nothing was right this year.

Q: What did you miss the most during the pre-coronavirus days that you couldn't do today?

Justina: I miss sports the most- the spirit at the gym or on the field. Fans cheering us on or trying to distract the [opponent] team.

Everything about sports was amazing for us because our athletic department was getting better every year, so the spirit and connection grew. I would've loved to see what it was gonna be like during my senior year.

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2020 Status: In-person /online (by choice) Kalista Nipper from Iowa School for the Deaf

Status: Hybrid (By choice) Tyler Furzland from Marie Philip School

Q: What's the status of returning back to school in-person?

Kalista: We are currently going to school in person. We are required to wear masks to school. We do have the option to go school in person or online.

Q: What's the status of returning back to school in-person?

Tyler: I am doing school remotely right now. Our school is giving us the choice to do 100% remote or do hybrid. I chose remote.

Q: How do you feel about this school year?

Kalista: I feel a lot different. I feel like there are more gloomy days. I'm glad to be able to play sports.

Q: How do you feel about this school year?

Tyler: I feel pretty good about this school year mostly because it feels a lot more safe than going to school in person.

Q: What did you miss the most during the pre-coronavirus days that you couldn't do today?

Kalista: I miss being able to be closer with my friends, being able to hang out with them much more. I miss having school is being stable, like we are not going back to online and stuff.

Q: What did you miss the most during the pre-coronavirus days that you couldn't do today?

Tyler: I miss extracurricular activities and hanging out with people after school the most.

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DEAF U Rodney Burford Cast member & former MSSD student "Stay true to who you are. Not everyone is gonna like you and not everyone matters."

Q: How did you get chosen as one of the cast members for Deaf U? Rodney: A friend of mine sent me a link and I auditioned. Then, I made it.

Q: How did you feel about sharing your personal life on television?

Rodney: I have mixed feelings about sharing my personal life on the show.

I'm happy because I showed the world who I am and now more people know about me.

Retrieved from deadline.com

Q: Are you considering pursuing your career as an actor?

Rodney: Yes, I am.

Retrieved from @deafu_netflix on Instagram

Retrieved from refinery29.com

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2020 ELECTION Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris

Donald Trump and Michael Pence

Photos retrieved from theguardian.com

The race between Joseph Biden and Donald Trump came very close. At least 161 million Americans voted this year. Biden and Harris won. The election this year was historic during the pandemic. Harris became the first Black-Asian woman to run and win as Vice President of United States. Biden also won the highest amount of voting with more than 81.2 million votes.

Retrieved from:https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2020/dec/02/us-election-results-2020-joe-biden-defeats-donald-trump-to-win-presidency

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J R.NAD DELEGATES

With Annabelle, Aubrie,

How did it feel to share your experience on a live webinar?

Aubrie: I did not feel nervous because I couldn't see anyone in the audience. It was a fun experience.

Natnail: It was astonishing to share my experience. I am glad to share my experience through live webinar where I can inspire other young people to step up and be the best they can be for our future.

Annabelle: I felt very good about the webinar as a moderator! The conversation between my peers and I were really good for everyone to watch because I know I learned so much! I enjoyed this webinar, and I'm looking forward for more opportunities like this out there!

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WEBINAR AND NATNAIL

Aubrie, Natnail and Annabelle in Zoom.

What advice do you have for the next Jr. NAD Delegate/Moderator?

Aubrie: Read everything in the Delegate manual. Make friends with other Delegates.

Natnail: My advice is as you join the Jr.NAD, don't hesitate.

Step up your game, be loud, and believe in yourself. There is nothing in the world to stop you from being a Jr. NAD Delegate. Lastly, have fun and learn from the experience.

Annabelle: As a moderator, I would advise everyone to stay true to themselves. Pay attention very well to what others say because it WILL benefit you at some point in your life. Turn your mind and heart open fully, and interact with every one as you grow.

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#BLACKLIV #BlackLivesMatter (BLM) is a movement to fight for freedom, liberation, and justice. Black people being killed by police officers due to the color of their skin is one of the huge issues that the BLM is fighting for. #BlackLivesMatter is not just for the United States, but all over the world. The movement was started by Alicia Garza, Opal Tometi, and Patrisse Cullors. https://blacklivesmatter.com

The Black Lives Matter movement officially started on February 26, 2012 when Trayvon Martin was shot by George Zimmerman. It kept going but when George Floyd was killed, the BLM movement re-ignited. It was powerful enough to make people try and change the world.

It is a movement that no one will forget.

#BlackLivesMatter protest in Washington D.C. Photo retreived from Conde Nast Traveler

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ESMATTER What Can You Do? Donate to organizations such as BLM and Equal Justice Initiative Support Black-owned businesses Educate yourself and have conversations about it no matter how uncomfortable it is.

Derrick Henry (Running Back for NFL Tennessee Titans) wearing the names of Black people that were killed.

Photo retrieved from People Magazine

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C OVID - 19 PRECAUTIONS Spread love, not germs!

Graphic retrieved from World Health Organziation

TIPS Always wash your hands!

Maintain a safe distance from others!

Wear a mask when you go out!

Take care of yourself!

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM MSSD JR.NAD FAMBAM