~ Debate ~

Evolution Versus Creation

Darlene Tropp and Stephen Farias are students at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf in Washington, D.C. Darlene and Stephen debated the merits of two beliefs-evolution and creationism. Darlene represented evolution; Stephen represented creationism.

Evolution = Life evolved on Earth according to rules discoverable by science.

Creationism = God created life on Earth and science does not reveal how.

Darlene: There is so much evidence to prove evolution. Look at the continents, the animals, and the people.

Stephen: I support creation. No questions asked. Darlene, what exactly do you mean by evolution?

Darlene: That's simple! Evolution is the theory that all living things developed from simpler living forms. We-the human race-went through a development to become what we are now. Now it's my turn…What is creation?

Stephen: The answer is basic. Creation is the act of making a living thing that has not been made before. Creation means God created everything-the Earth, the Milky Way, animals.

Darlene: Look at nature, animals, and humans. We all have changed. How could you believe that all happened in seven days?

Stephen: Mainly because I have been going to church since I was a little tyke, and I believe in the Bible. The Bible says that the world's people will be wiped out by disease. That's what cancer and AIDS are doing now.

Darlene: We have had terrible diseases in the past…smallpox and polio for example. Now we have vaccines for these. In the future, scientists may find a cure for AIDS and cancer!

Stephen: Doctors have said that they are "miles away" from finding these cures. Now some scientists are starting to change their minds about evolution. Why? They are starting to believe it was seven "periods of time" instead of seven days.

Darlene: I've found no evidence of scientists changing their beliefs about evolution. As to seven periods-what does that mean? Were they long periods? If so, it may be a kind of evolution.

Stephen: The periods were obviously long, but God merely created the world we know today in stages-different stages.

Stephen: Religion and creation aside, where do you think we humans come from?

Darlene: I got to admit, it does make you stop and think. From a single cell, we all changed to be what we are now-humans?

Stephen and Darlene wrote the above and sent it to World Around You last year. They would like your opinion. Mail it to:

Stephen Farias and Darlene Tropp
MSSD
Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center
Gallaudet University
800 Florida Ave., NE
Washington, DC 20002-3695

~ Essays ~

Cochlear Implants
—A Positive Difference

For Sports, Family, & Phone

By Chelsea Huenink
Milwaukee Christian School
Brookfield, Wisconsin

I love to play different sports. I'm on my school soccer team and my community soccer team. I also play basketball and love to swim. I'm deaf and I wear a cochlear implant. When I was born, I had a little hearing and wore hearing aids. I used an assistive listening device.

When I was in first grade, I lost all of my hearing. I was scared and I didn't know what was going on. My parents and audiologist decided I should have a cochlear implant. I was happy to have it and hear better. I can understand my family, friends, and teachers. I can hear better on the phone, too. The cochlear implant has changed my life.

It Changed My Life

By Jake Lingle
Pullman Elementary School
St. Paul Park, Minnesota

I can still remember when I got the cochlear implant. I was coming home from my surgery. My mom turned on the radio and I said, "What's that?" My mom said, "That's the radio." I was two years old.

The cochlear implant changed my life because, if I were walking in the middle of the street, I could hear a car honk its horn. I would know the car was coming. In 1994, I broke the metal in my head because I tripped. So I had another surgery. I was so sick that they gave me medicine through an IV. It was like a mini-stroke. I love the cochlear implant because I can hear dangerous noises.

~ Poetry ~

Different Worlds By Keyona Nolda Nolda is a hearing writer in North Platte, Nebraska who has a deaf friend. My friend lives in a quiet world, A silence all her own. Each morning her world unfurls Color and shapes alone When I laugh she sees my smile When I cry, she wipes my tears She herself laughs like any child Despite her silent years I'm not part of my friend's quiet world Her silence I cannot invade. Though bird song she's never heard To my world, all the difference she's made.

Silence I'm feeling so tired of hearing Silences In my silent world There's no sound No words No music We have feelings We can hear the pain We can hear the love We can hear the betrayed We can hear everything that's going on in hearts Why can't you see that? For those people who think the silent people are dumb Basically, it's you who are dumb It's time you found out the truth We, the people with silent ears, Have no silence in our souls Our souls sing For those people who don't hear The music is in our hearts I'm sorry You're the one who has Silent ears To your heart Dani Goyette Pilgrim Park Middle Brookfield, Wisconsin

SCrEaMiNg HanDs Spotlight where I stand No one understands me Audiences everywhere Staring Straight at me I see through their Criticizing eyes Hurtful words Flames of fire burning Inside me When I "perform" My real talents are Unnoticed Wanting to escape Backstage Crying out In darkness, A hopeless child needing help If I am silent My hands moving Beautifully? Laughter erupts "What's so funny?" I want to laugh With them Oh these emperors Of their laughter city Am I not worthy of Being their friend? Emotion grows The tide of the ocean Comes and goes Audience voices Blend into one "Please, One at a time!" Lights dim No applause The curtain falls Spotlight Where I stand All alone Again... Izabella Lewandowski Mountain View High Vancouver, Washington