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Newest Queen of the Rodeo
Kimberly Dawn Williams, from Twin Falls, Idaho, is the new Miss Rodeo USA.
Kimberly, a former student at the Idaho School for the Deaf, began riding when she was four years old. When she was nine, she decided she wanted to be a rodeo queen. "There were times when I felt I couldn't compete in the hearing world," she told newspaper reporters.
But she never stopped trying.
"I was so focused," she said. "I sacrificed my social life."
Now Kimberly is 22 years old and a senior in college. A sold-out crowd of 15,000 win the crown in Oklahoma City, last January.
Of the 23 top contestants who competed in Oklahoma City, Kimberly showed striking poise and horsemanship, Donna Anne Strictlen,
former Miss Rodeo USA, noted. Perhaps it was no surprise that she won the crown.
Florida Freshman Pursues NFL Dream
An outstanding high school football player, Dwight Collins attracted plenty of attention from the nation's big name colleges.
College recruiters lined up to ask Dwight to play for them-until they found out he was deaf. Then most recruiters backed off.
Three colleges-University of Central Florida, Gallaudet University, and one other college—continued to recruit him.Dwight, who graduated from Barbe High School, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, picked University of Central Florida (UCF). Gallaudet didn't offer athletic scholarships, and the other university was not providing sign language interpreters in classes he was told. So the decision to attend University of Central Florida was easy!
As a freshman at UCF, Dwight posted a fairly good season. He had some good games; he also had some bad games. He played against top ranked University of Nebraska and finished the year with good statistics. He rushed for 275 yards in 42 carries for a 6.5 average and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 19 yards. He was honored by Walt Disney World as its Spirit Award winner of the year.
Dwight has told everyone he wants to play in the National Football League (NFL). The odds against this are high. Two deaf and one hard of hearing player succeeded in playing in the NFL These players were Bonnie Sloan, Billy Donckers, and Kenny Walker. All three had short careers. Two other deaf players were drafted but did not make it. With three seasons remaining, Dwight needs to improve his freshman performance if he wants to make his dream come true.
| Barry Strassler has been inducted to the American Athletic Association of the Deaf Hall of Fame. Barry's DeafSportZine web site, which is maintained by Richard Dawes, may be found at: http://www.yellowstar.com/DeafSportZine/. |
General comments may be sent to: Ken.Kurlychek@gallaudet.edu
Last modified May 21, 1998
Copyright © 1997, All Rights Reserved
Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center
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