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December 11, 2003

High School Students Give Story Presentations To Deaf Students

From: WLBT-TV, MS - Dec 11, 2003

Deaf children don't have the privilege of hearing some all time favorite children's stories, like Snow White and Cinderella.

So one Mississippi high school decided to do something about that.

It may be one of the most difficult final exams ever for these Pass Christian High Schoolers.

As part of their sign language class, they must tell a story in sign language....to deaf children.

Amber Wilson Junior said, "It's been the best experience I've ever had." This experience was the brainchild of Judith Emerson, a deaf education teacher in Pass Christian. "I've learned that our deaf children are not familiar with our children's stories that all hearing people take for granted."

Amber Wilson says she was nervous about performing for these experts at first, but the nerves quickly calmed when she saw their reaction. "They seemed very excited about us being here and they looked like they knew some of the characters in the story."

Some of the students at the school for the deaf echoed wilson's sentiments through their interpreter and teacher.

Neshara Joseph, a deaf student said, "My favorite book was Brown Bear, Brown Bear."

Antonio Elizondo, another deaf student said,"The very hungry caterpillar, that was my very favorite. He ate the leaf and then he became fat."

Deaf Student Marquarius Boyd said, "Freddy and Ted because one of them drove real slow, I think it was Ted and then Fred drove really fast, that was the favorite part."

Overall, Emerson says she was pleased with the performance of her students. "They got into their characters and they were able to remember all the signs that they learned."

As for the deaf students, well they gave glowing reviews as well. "They really were good. They were experts in their signing. I'd give them an A."

Mrs. Emerson says this is the first time she's brought a class to perform at the Mississippi School for the Deaf. Her students ranged from sophomores to seniors in high school.

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