M A Y / J U N E - 1 9 9 8

The Biggest Challenge—And a Big Contest
Congratulations to all winners and participants in this year's "Biggest Challenge" essay contest. Gallaudet's School of Education and Human Services and Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center announced the contest in World Around You last fall. By the time the February deadline arrived, we had 235 entries. Entries came from all over the United States and from Russia, Australia, and the Philippines. We learned a lot by reading them. Many of the judges commented on the courage and sensitivity of the essays. It was very difficult to decide the winners!
Special thanks to the judges, staff, teachers, and students who made the contest a success.

Winners & Prizes

Grand prize winner—Davi Cass Scott, from Lusk, Wyoming—receives $1500 toward her college education.

Second place winner—Darcy White, from Ames, Iowa—receives a $100 cash award.

Third place winner—Amber Leigh Romney, from Mesa, Arizona—receives a $50 cash award.

Honorable Mention—Carrie Suggs, from Staunton, Virgin ia—receives a $25 cash award.

Editor's Award—Laquanda Diana Porchea, from Blacksburg, South Carolina—receives a copy of Movers and Shakers: Deaf People Who Changed the World.

Finalist—Katie Greiman, from Hudson, Iowa—receives a special certificate and a free subscription to the '98-'99 World Around You.

Finalist—Jonathan Langone, from Framingham, Massachusettes—receives a special certificate and a free subscription to the '98-'99 World Around You.

Finalist—Lisa Andrews, from Framingham, Massachusettes—receives a special certificate and a free subscription to the '98-'99 World Around You.

Articles have been edited for publication. "Growing into Deafness," by Lisa Andrews, and other notable entries will be printed in our September issue.
All 235 participants received certificates of participation.

Grand Prize Winner
Davi Cass Scott, our grand prize winner, is in eighth grade at Lusk Middle School in Lusk, Wyoming. Davi learned about the contest from Wanda Mann, her teacher and interpreter.
"I entered the contest because I wanted to win—and I needed the money," she said. She wanted to write about Shel, the man she called her brother, because it has been three years since his death and she remembers "many, many things."
Her favorite subjects are art and science and she is thinking about becoming "a doctor, a dentist, or cutting hair like Shel."
Davie enjoys sports and may be the first hard of hearing student in her area to participate in an Olympics of the Mind team.
For college, she is considering Gallaudet University or going to school in Denver where her mother lives. Wherever she goes, she wants to travel!

Judges
Five distinguished individuals devoted a lot more time than any of us expected to reading and evaluating the contest entries. The judges were:

Connie Briscoe, best-selling author of Sisters and Lovers and Big Girls Don't Cry, and one of the nation's premier writers who is deaf, took time from working on her third book.

Michelle Listisard, coordinator of the Junior National Association of the Deaf, is active in Youth Leadership Camp and other activities for deaf and hard of hearing young people.

Dr. David Martin, professor in the School of Education and Human Services at Gallaudet University, planned to do some of his reading on an airplane between meetings.

David Schleper, literacy coordinator in Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University, is the developer of the Shared Reading Project.

Janet Weinstock, Literacy Specialist and Lead Teacher for Team 3-4-5 in Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center, is the author of the World Around You-Teacher Guide.

This is the last issue of World Around You for the 1997-1998 school year. Have a great summer—and don't forget to order now to receive World Around You in fall—800-526-9105 (T/V); 1-202-651-5708 (F).

The Math Muse, pen pals, and student sections of World Around You do not appear in this issue so that we are able to include all of the finalists in this year's essay contest. World Around You sponsors a contest every year. Contest topics and prizes vary. Read World Around You next fall to learn about the contest we will sponsor in '99.

General comments may be sent to: Ken.Kurlychek@gallaudet.edu
Last modified June 12, 1998
Copyright © 1997, All Rights Reserved
Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center

Gallaudet University 800 Florida Ave. NE Washington, DC 20002-3695