Annual Deaf Education picnic brings students together
Deaf and hard-of-hearing students came together with students studying American Sign Language (ASL) at the annual Spring Deaf Education Picnic on April 17 at Phelps Grove Park for food, fun and community without the need for interpreters.
Founded in the 1990s by the Coalition for Hearing Impaired Children, the event provides a vital social space for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students across southwest Missouri. Students could enjoy 10 different activity stations including face painting, balloon animals, sack races and more. Students from the Parkview High School ASL class prepared and volunteered at each activity station.
“The kiddos interacted with their same-age peers from other districts as well as older/younger kids. It is a wonderful sight to see,“ said Parkview ASL Teacher Diana Brewer. “I love seeing a student who may be the only person at their school who has a cochlear implant see another kid with one. The joy on their faces is amazing when they can feel independent communicating in their heart language.”
Students from Delaware Elementary, Holland Elementary, Jarrett Middle School, AgAcademy, Pleasant View K-8 and Parkview participated in the picnic. There were also students from Branson, Logan-Rogersville and Republic in attendance, plus Missouri State University students.
