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July 12, 2006
An Evening of Surprises
I attended an Awards Banquet/Graduation Ceremony for 7th through 9th grade at the Lighthouse Christian Academy. It's a private school which my sister started attending last fall. It was a wonderful ceremony. The students opened the ceremony with a prayer (this is a Christian private school)- in sign. It was so beautiful. Earlier that afternoon, after my 15-year-old sister's persistent text messages begging me to come to her school and help her and her classmates with their signs, I went to the Lighthouse Christian Academy to "lend a hand" (or two, smile).
I was totally unprepared for what awaited me! I was blown away at how well these students were signing. Even my sister amazed me. (YES, my OWN sister!) All were hearing. There is sign language teacher at that school, which is also my church which I've been going to since I was 9 years old. The church is my second home and the people are my extended family. Sometimes the teacher asks for my help, and I've never turned down an opportunity to help teach sign and expose the students to the deaf world. Now that Gallaudet has loosened it's hold on me, I have more time to give.
Anyway, during practice that afternoon, they went about their parts, inquiring my assistance with some words they could not sign. It went well, to the sign language teacher's relief. So, they were all set for the following night. The ceremony started and ended beautifully. In between, the students gave wonderful performances and were all smiles getting their awards and promotion certificates. I forgot to mention one other thing- this was the school's very first graduation ceremony. Even the principal was moved to tears as the teachers presented her with a lovely bouquet of flowers. It was quite a celebration and an evening of surprises.
Posted by gizelle at July 12, 2006 12:33 PM
