World Around You--May/June 1997--Deaf History Lives Maryland Students Create Calendar. Gallaudet University

M A Y / J U N E - 1 9 9 7

D e a f H i s t o r y L i v e s

Maryland Students
Create Calendar
by Lisa DeLumeau, Brian Brizendine, and Geraldine Whitt

At first, the students were hesitant. They knew the project would take a lot of planning, research, and just plain hard work. But the goal--money generated through sales for a class trip--seemed worthwhile. So the American Studies class at the Maryland School for the Deaf (MSD) began work on a deaf history calendar.
The students chose 13 Deaf people--teachers, newscasters, advocates, and their own superintendent--and placed their biographies in different months of the calendar. They also noted birthdates of famous deaf Americans--such as journalist Laura Searing and wood sculptor John Louis Clark--and included dates when schools for the deaf were founded.
Finally their work was finished. The calendar, "The Proud History of the Deaf," went on sale in January.
"Our goal was to create a calendar that we could relate to as members of the deaf community," said Lisa DeLumeau MSD student. "Our American Studies class accepted it as a challenge."
Students interviewed some people, traveled to the Gallaudet University archives for information on other people, and collected photos. Don Padden, famed former Gallaudet basketball player, came to class for an interview. So did revered painter Louis Frisino. Students hit the books as well, especially Jack Gannon's Deaf Heritage.
"Doing our research well and completing our calendar while under extreme pressure was an amazing accomplishment for us" said Lisa. "We gained valuable experience and new students can follow our lead.
"It was time consuming and exhausting," she added. "But very rewarding." The calendar, $5, may be ordered from:
Geraldine Whitt
Maryland School for the Deaf
101 Clarke Place Box 250
Frederick, Maryland 21705-0250

General comments may be sent to: ISCS.ClercCenter@gallaudet.edu