Jr. NADmag - Spring 2021

Wisconsin School for the Deaf JR. NAD CHAPTER TAKEOVER

JR. NAD MAG

Spring 2021

Table of Contents 3

Meet WSD's Jr. NAD Chapter!

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Advice from Deaf Organizations

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National Deaf Youth Day Mock Interviews

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Jr. NAD Chapter Activities Across the Nation

Wisconsin School for the Deaf Jr. NAD chapter

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WORDS FROM DEAF ORGANIZATIONS

In life, you will face challenges and mistakes.

When they happen, see them as opportunities to learn and grow. Embrace them. Your life story is yours.

Own it. Live it. Show it.

Turtle Island Hand Talk (TIHT) encourages Deaf Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth to think about American History from the Native Peoples perspective. We also encourage Indigenous Deaf youth to ask their family questions about their specific tribe and their family's experiences as Native People. Lastly, seek out Deaf Indigenous elders as mentors to help you to feel good about who you are to increase pride in your heritage. We, TIHT Deaf Elders, encourage them individually to explore their identity. Just knowing where you came from is a huge part of finding who you are and who you want to be. Your role as an indigenous youth is to get educated. Just going to school is not enough, they (school) textbooks might not teach you so finding out about your own indigenous history will be important. This finding out more about your history as an Indigenous youth is an important responsibility so you can learn how to protect the earth, to protect what you have and be thankful for it.

You possess your journey by learning, embracing, and honoring your cultural heritage as an amazing thing. You build and thrive like bamboo to uplift the recognition of diverse communities. Together, we harmonize starting with you. It’s okay to make a mistake, you own it. Hence, you shall become a better person. May you prosper serving others with your heart.

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FOR DEAF YOUTH Deaf Women of Color Keep grit and find different opportunities including internships and volunteer work that will shape your future and careers. You are our future leaders and we are looking forward to see your great accomplishments regardless if it is small or big! :)

We, Council de Manos, want to give you a piece of wise advice. Believe it yourself!

Fight for what you believe.

Fight your dream! Fight for Family, Friend, Loved ones, and Community Justice. The world is calling you, and you are our future. We are in this Solitary.

We recognize the importance of gaining empowerment through the promotion of leadership and education for the Hispanic and Latino.

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Your education is the ticket to success. As Nelson Mandela reminds you of this most powerful quote, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

"Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself."--Harvey Fierstein

The advice is to always stay true to yourself regardless of what anyone says. We all are paving new paths for the others, and sometimes, we have to carve out the paths ourselves. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

National Deaf Youth Day Mock Interviews The mock interview was a good experience for me.

-Johnathan Kelly, Wisconsin School for the Deaf

I learned a lot during the mock interviews. It taught me and prepared me for future interviews. It was really worth my time!

- Eliza Camino, Wisconsin School for the Deaf

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Jr. NAD Chapter Bulletin Board Wisconsin School for the Deaf In honoring BIPOC, Wisconsin School for the Deaf Student Body Government and Jr. NAD decided to host an event every Friday, which spotlighted the diverse cultures of Black, Latin, Asian, and Indigenous communities. We believe it’s important to spread awareness of people of color to all students and staff in order to clarify our history, discrimination, systemic racism, and celebrations that is valuably represented and/or is affected in each culture and community. Not only we were educated about the deep roots of each culture, but we recognized the passion to educate others, and change for the better to create a flourishing future. Additionally, we encourage others to understand, and respect the various cultures as well as making sure that we are an inclusive community where everyone can feel belonging. The interviews with the guest speakers strengthened our understanding from the individuals’ stories, agony, and joy in their perspectives of one’s identity.

- Written by Nevaeh Benning

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See what our Jr. NAD chapters have been up to!

Chapter Nebowa Jr.NAD

g activities We did team buildin bers had to go where Jr. NAD mem blindfolded through an obstacle around his/her ed ti s ng ri st h it w d an e opposite wrists and ankles. Th ide the person member had to gu e to the finish from the starting lin is without the line. We also did th us how to trust strings. This taught direct cues by someone by giving shoulder. tapping on his/her

James Madison High School We volunteered at the Deaf Festival 2020 and joined with Deaf Community Services to Volunteer for the greater San Diego Community.

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Rhode Island School for the Deaf The RISD students collected together to make a difference for the RISD campus on Earth Day. The campus looked beautiful after a teamwork effort by RISD Jr.NAD students.

Maryland School for the Deaf "We have worked so hard to make this event happen and it was successful!

Everyone loved it. It was very inspiring to see all young deaf students with great leadership skills on Zoom working together. I am looking forward to future Jr. NAD Across America Zoom events."

- Hanna Johnston-Shaw

" The event was fantastic! It was great to see so many students from different schools participating. I'm looking forward to more hangouts."

- Alona Zfati

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Texas School for the Deaf Texas School for the Deaf's Jr. NAD chapter hosted the Keeper of the Flame of the Future award ceremony on March 25th.

Promoting the Tomorrow of the Deaf by Working with the Deaf Youth of Today is our charge! The award ceremony was to recognize and celebrate our leaders for their meritorious contributions and for empowering the deaf youth of America to measure up to capacity in school, college, workplace, career, and the multigenerational world. Dr. Frank Turk gave an inspiring presentation before the students went into break-out rooms to socialize with the assigned presenters.

Afterward, the students had the chance to share what they learned and present the awards to the leaders.

California School for the Deaf, Riverside Hosted various of events including a community step up challenge!

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New Mexico School for the Deaf

run the "It was a great experience to to event with my team. It was fun are seeing everyone's talents! We talents looking forward to see more ness and continue spread the aware about #deaftalent." nt - Stacy Vargas, Jr.NAD Preside

Rochester School for the Deaf Joined in webinars and Jr. NAD events. We are hosting a 5K too!

r the California School fo Deaf, Fremont t We hosted a series of gues us topics speakers addressing vario We also for our CSD community. uth hosted STEPS for Deaf Yo ril 25th to Fundraiser event from Ap for our May 15th to raise money ship chapter for future leader D national related events and Jr. NA

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conferences.