ROCHESTER SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF BFall/Winteru 2011/2012ildi ng FutureIssue No.130s Adventures in Education 2011 Deaf Recording Artist Signmark Proves Anything is Possible As the Finnish born deaf son of deaf parents Marko Vuoriheimo has achieved what some believed to be impossible—a successful career as a recording artist under contract with Warner Music, an international entertainment company. Today, with two popular CD/DVD releases to his credit and more to come, Marko travels the world as rap and hip-hop star Signmark. With his bandmates, vocalist Brandon Bauer and “VJ” Ville Myllymaa, Signmark was the special guest presenter for the 2011 Adventures in Education program, October 12-13, at Rochester School for the Deaf. enjoyed RSD students' videos, signed autographs, and posed Through his powerful mix of edgy rap-style music and lyrics, for pictures with students and staff. Signmark’s time at RSD American Sign Language, hip-hop movements and projected culminated in a sold-out Thursday evening community recep- visual effects, Signmark’s inspirational messages for RSD stu- tion in the Learning Resource Center and presentation/concert dents, staff and supporters can be found in the words to many in the school auditorium. Following an electrifying performance, of his songs, such as “Speakerbox”: Just let your soul be your Marko, Brandon and Ville graciously spent time with fans of speakerbox l You got the keys right in your hand l Open the Signmark, to sign CDs and DVDs, programs, posters and t-shirts. locks and do your thing l Let your soul be a speakerbox l “What we will remember most are the great people we met at There's beat in your heart, just let it play. RSD who were all so warm and friendly to us,” Ville said. Marko Signmark said that he and his bandmates were “blown agreed and added, “Of all the schools away” by the interactions they had with RSD we've visited around the world, RSD students during the Adventures in definitely was one of the best experi- Education program this year. Beginning ences we've ever had. We felt close with a “red carpet” welcome from to all of you and you made us feel Early Childhood Center children and so welcomed and appreciated. All of staff, Marko engaged students in every the students were prepared so well. academic department and in the RASA It was a great experience that we @ RSD Center as well. He discussed his will never forget!” career and creative process, watched and Rochester School for the Deaf • 1545 St. Paul Street • Rochester, NY 14621 With Regents-level educational programs, outreach services, and cultural support, Rochester School for the Deaf is one of America’s premier schools specializing in the education of children with hearing loss. Since 1876, RSD has built successful futures for deaf and hard of hearing children and their families in Western and Central New York State. To learn more, please contact us today. Call 585-544-1240 (Voice/TTY) or visit www.RSDeaf.org. Founder’s Awards Honor Individuals’ Service and Achievements On Wednesday evening, October 12, 2011, at ARTISANworks, on Blossom Road in the city, Rochester School for the Deaf hon- ored two outstanding individuals with the school’s prestigious Perkins and Lyon Founder’s Awards. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the annual reception for underwriters of the Adventures in Education program. This year’s Perkins Founder’s Award recipient is Mr. Lowell Patric. Mr. Patric is recognized for his 23 years of volunteer leader- ship on RSD’s Board of Directors. Mr. Patric’s tenure on the Board includes two years as President, a member of the Finance Committee, Past Chair of the Finance Committee and Treasurer. One of his most outstanding contributions was the planning and execution expertise he provided to RSD’s major campus renova- tion, during which he was instrumental in helping the school to secure $14 million in financing through the New York State Dormitory Authority. (l-r) Dr. Thomas Pearson and Mr. Lowell Patric Professionally, Mr. Patric has an extensive background as an entrepreneur and business leader, including several years serv- In 2005, Dr. Pearson organized an effort which resulted in ing as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Rochester a Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention grant Community Savings Bank. He is the founder and current Chief to establish the National Center for Deaf Health Research Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Karma Culture, a (NCDHR). Dr. Pearson, as Director of NCDHR, emphasized the startup company that manufactures and distributes a vitamin and need for a bilingual faculty and staff, the hiring of American additive enriched wellness water. Sign Language-fluent Deaf and hearing colleagues, the creation of opportunities for summer internships for Deaf students, Yet, amidst his very active business and family life, Mr. Patric has the inclusion of Deaf Community members at all levels of the always been steadfast in his support of any and every initiative research process, and the completion of the world’s first health benefitting deaf and hard of hearing students who attend RSD. survey of Deaf persons. He was especially instrumental in raising CDC’s awareness that Deaf persons constitute a linguistic and This year’s recipient of the Lyon Founder’s Award is cultural minority with many unmet health needs. The NCDHR Dr. Thomas Pearson. has raised awareness about Deaf Health, provided informa- tion about the health needs of Deaf persons, involved the Deaf Dr. Pearson has been a Professor of Community and Preventive Community in all processes, employed and trained Deaf persons Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and on research teams (including at leadership roles) and serves as a Dentistry since 1997, and Director of the Rochester Prevention magnet for Deaf persons around the world to visit and study in Research Center since 2005. Prior to this, he had held positions Rochester as an international center of excellence in the promo- at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the tion of health in Deaf persons. College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University. Page 2 RSD Staff and Board of Directors News Honoring Years of Service Staff reassignments: Board of Directors 10 Years • Wayne Cayea, Vocational Evaluator Dr. Mowl and the Board of Directors and • Susan C. Searls, Interim Director, Early the RSD community of students, families • Debra Couglar, LPN Childhood Program and staff thank Dr. Timothy Cottrell and • Shirley Mostyn, Accountant Ms. Pamela Ferguson who left the Board 15 Years Staff retirements: of Directors after many years of dedi- • Becky Kindleberger, Nursing supervisor cated service and support to our school. 25 Years • Marilyn Curley, Director, Early Childhood Congratulations Mr. Bernard Hurwitz, Programs, 20 years newly elected as President of the Board • Victoria Gutierrez, Secretary • Steve Gonzalez, Senior Housekeeper, 22 • Rita Rood-Olson, Recreation supervisor of Directors and Dr. Michael Doughty, years newly elected as 1st Vice President • Rosemary Sadwick, Teacher • Carol Loftus, Secretary, 9 years • Kathy Wright, Teacher of the Board. Welcome to the Board of Directors these new members: Dr. Poorna Kushalnagar, Mr. Patrick Tobin, Staff joining RSD: and Mr. Gerard C. Walter. • Jorge Cordero, Housekeeper • Regina Cullen, Secretary • Jenna McNamara, Teacher Athletic Hall of Fame Inducts Five On Friday evening, October 14, 2011, and as part of the RSD softball, soccer, volleyball and basketball for over 20 years and Alumni Association reunion to celebrate the 135th anniversary of was Athletic Director for 24 years. Her cheerleading teams won the school, five well-deserving individuals were inducted into the 11 ESDAA Championships. In 2008, Paula was inducted into the RSD Athletic Hall of Fame. Batavia, NY, High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Patricia “Patti” Palmer Canne was a multi-sport athlete at RSD. Roderick “Roddy” McNeil was the first to earn the varsity She was MVP for basketball and softball, was an ESDAA All-Star letter “R” at RSD, and he has three letters in basketball, baseball in basketball and was Channel 13 Athlete of the Week in 1981. and soccer. He is best known as a defensive specialist. In 1947 Patti scored 1,052 points in her basketball career and received he played on an undefeated soccer team, was basketball team the Ames Curchin Outstanding Athlete Award in 1979. Currently, captain and set a record for total points in a season. Patti coaches the RSD girls basketball team. Her 2009 team won the ESDAA Championship. Nicholas Nugent initiated the first athletic program for girls at RSD. He was a Physical Education Teacher and Athletic Director David Feathers excelled in soccer and basketball at RSD. for more than 25 years. Nicholas coached baseball and basketball He is a five-time soccer MVP and played on National Soccer teams at RSD. Coach Nugent was instrumental in RSD joining Championship teams, in 1998 and 2000. David received the the ESDAA. He was a basketball referee for over 20 years and Ames Curchin Outstanding Athlete Award in 1999. In 2000 he coached several championship teams throughout his career. Mr. was named National Soccer Player of the Year. The All-American Nugent died in November 2004 at the age of 90. athlete was also named to All-Star Teams for basketball and soc- cer during ESDAA tournaments. To see pictures from this special ceremony, go to the Photos & Videos Center at www.RSDeaf.org Paula Reed Hanson dedicated 31 years to physical education and athletic programs at RSD. She coached cheerleading, Page 3 Briefly …from 1545 St. Paul Street RSD Middle School at the 25th Annual Magazine Features Deaf Space Camp Gonzalez Family Nine Middle School stu- of RSD dents from RSD were The September 2011 among 26 deaf and hard edition of the Rochester of hearing children, from Area & Genesee Valley Alabama, Illinois, Ohio, Parent magazine Maryland, New York and included a profile of Wisconsin, to attend the Gonzalez family: the 25th Annual Deaf parents Kimberly and Ramon and their three children: Abigail, Space Camp, August Zander and Adriana, who attend RSD.