The 7th Annual Marie Jean Philip Poetry, Storytelling and Deaf Art Competition and George W. Veditz ASL Festival
Thank you to all who attended and participated in our 2004 ASL Festival, making it the best Festival we have ever had!! The Marie Jean Philip Poetry, Storytelling and Deaf Art Competition had students from over 25 different school across the nation participate via videotape. Here is a list of the 2004 MJP Competition Winners.
Not only did the students from the competition amaze the Festival Committee, but also, Todd Czubek, from Scranton State School for the Deaf, helped us open our eyes to a little boy with a touching story. George Zielinsky, a special needs child, inspired us to create the "Special Student" category for the 2005 MJP Competition. Here is the letter that Todd sent us about George.
The George W. Veditz ASL Festival was a huge success. With over 700 people filing into Blackman Auditorium to see Janice Cole as emcee, and presenters such as Nathie Marbury, Manny Hernandez, Matthew "Magic" Morgan, Show of Hands Theatre Company, and the DeafBlind TheatreProject.
The Saturday Workshops consisted of Patrick "Pax" McCarthy presenting "Creating ASL Dramas", Janis Cole presenting "The Actor's Itch", Bob Chiaramonte presenting "Introduction to Interpreting in Medical Settings", and finally Nathie Marbury presenting "Reciprocal Signals".
2004 Marie Jean Philip Poetry, Storytelling and Deaf Art Competition Winners
ASL POETRY
AGES 8 & UNDER
First Place
1st grade class
Scranton State School for the Deaf
Second Place
Jenilee Marques
American School for the Deaf
Third Place
Ruth Ballentine
The Learning Center for Deaf Children
Third Place
Mary Grove
Kansas School for the Deaf
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ASL POETRY
AGES 9 - 12
First Place
Aharon Riolo
Scranton State School for the Deaf
Second Place
Hohan Medina
Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Third Place
Kayonna Mitchell
EDCO Program
Third Place
Travis Waala
Wisconsin School for the Deaf
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ASL POETRY
AGES 13 - 18
First Place
Chrystina Dennie
American School for the Deaf
First Place
Demetrius Curtis
Scranton State School for the Deaf
Second Place
Samantha Ruhland
Metro Deaf School
Third Place
Greg Carlson
Kansas School for the Deaf
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ASL STORYTELLING
AGES 8 & UNDER
First Place
Ethan Swafford
Tennessee School for the Deaf
Second Place
Ellie Linstaedt
Metro Deaf School
Third Place
Eric Belozovsky
The Learning Center for Deaf Children
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ASL STORYTELLING
AGES 9-12
First Place
Meghan Laughlin
Metro Deaf School
Second Place
Daniel Letendre
The Learning Center for Deaf Children
Third Place
Anica Buckson
Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
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ASL STORYTELLING
AGES 13 - 18
First Place
Nathan Riolo
Scranton State School for the Deaf
Second Place
Masha Drymalski
Wisconsin School for the Deaf
Third Place
Wilson Velez
Rhode Island School for the Deaf
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ASL STORYTELLING
OPEN CATERGORY
First Place
Nikki Mandrell
Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
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DEAF ART
AGES 8 & UNDER
First Place
Lilly Heller
Kansas School for the Deaf
Second Place
Musa Issa
Metro Deaf School
Third Place
First Grade Class
Scranton State School for the Deaf
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DEAF ART
AGES 9 - 12
First Place
Travis Lauderbaugh
Metro Deaf School
Second Place
Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grade Classes
Scranton State School for the Deaf
Third Place
Paul Drymalski
Wisconsin School for the Deaf
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DEAF ART
AGES 13 - 18
First Place
Sara Collins
Wisconsin School for the Deaf
Second Place
Courtney Gunville
Wisconsin School for the Deaf
Third Place
Haley Swart
Kansas School for the Deaf
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Letter from Todd Czubek
"... George Zielinsky, a special needs child, helped compose and independently delivered a wonderful poem that earned 3rd place in our competition. His was not the best, but is the most breathtaking. George was in a program at our school where he was languishing. He was largely perceived as having limited, if any, potential. With the intervention of his mother and several dedicated staff he was transferred into a regular elementary class and has blossomed into a child with abilities far beyond our expectations.
His poem is clearly marked 3rd Place... and is not intended for entry. However, his work so represents the ideas and beliefs of Marie that I had to include it. I want others to have the chance to see what can be accomplished with caring and resolve to respect the language and potential of all Deaf children. With George's context in mind it is not possible to watch his poem without an emotion reaction. I hope you will understand my reasons for including his work. Please share it and know how much Marie's legacy means to our school and our students.
Perhaps a special needs category can be established in the future for children like George to more fully share in this wonderful event."
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