ASL and Oral Public Speaking Event

Three students from School District No. 83 (North Okanagan-Shuswap) took part in the Speech Competition sponsored by the Provincial Outreach Program Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Burnaby on April 23-25.

Kristina Baker, SD83 teacher of students who are deaf and hard of hearing, says Emily Shaw, Lana Lynd, and Julia Couch took part and all three did very well, but didn’t place in the top three . . this year! “They did a great job and all want to go back again next year,” she added.

The event is typically held at Michael J. Fox Theatre in Burnaby but due to scheduling conflict was moved to a school in Burnaby. Baker noted that she was glad to hear it would be back at the Theatre next year as the venue was packed, with competitors, students, and community members who were coming out to support the competitors.

The format for the competition changed a bit. In previous years there were separate American Sign Language (ASL) and Oral categories. This year all the students competed in one category, which was open to sign or oral speaking.

Also, they added to the program but highlighting the winners of the ASL poetry competition for three different grade categories, Gr. 3, Gr. 4-7, and Gr. 8-12. Also during the day they featured photos of art projects.

Approximately 20 students from across the province in Grades 6-12 took part. All students received a “swag bag” a backpack full of treats and school supplies.

Baker said the event is more than just a public speaking/ASL competition but also a chance to meet other students who are deaf and hard of hearing. Baker and the three students flew to the coast on Sunday and met in the evening with groups from around the province. On Monday, over 100 students all got together to go bowling and then in the evening everyone went to the Provincial School for the Deaf in Burnaby where they played games and had a barbeque. On Tuesday the speeches were held and the SD83 group flew home Tuesday evening.

Baker added another exciting thing coming up is that the Elks Camp in Canoe will be the base for a regional camp for students who are deaf and hard of hearing on May 29-31. She commented there will be speakers, games, crafts, a sandcastle competition and much more for the participants, who will be from SD83 and surrounding school districts such as Kamloops, Kelowna, and Vernon.