Brazos River RDSPD
Special Appreciation Newsletter
"What the World Gains from Optimism"
In appreciation of all the hours of work and dedication, we want to thank the many that made the Optimist Communication Competition for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing the event it was! You must scroll to the end of the newsletter to truly appreciate the number of people it took for this event to happen!
Weatherford Optimist Club - Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
This group went all out to make this event happen!! Robert "Bob"Beckett spent hours/days preparing for and making this event come to be! Eddie Burnett, President of the Weatherford Optimist was our M.C., Mike Martin was the official timekeeper of the competition, Mary Lou Curry prepared gifts for our speaker and judges, Pat Cook and Mike Dalrymple were there to support all the efforts and Debbie Braudaway was the Optimist/School liaison for the event. We even got a special appearance from Bron Austin Deal, Governor of the North Texas District of Optimist International.
WHS Superintendent's Student Advisory Council
This amazing group of WHS students presented the WISD administrators with the idea of bringing Jonathan Hutcherson, former contestant on The Voice (and hard of hearing himself) to speak to our D/HH students as part of the Optimist Club Competition. With the support of WISD administration, these students put on multiple fund raising events and raised enough money for Jonathan and his mom to fly from Kentucky for the event. They worked tirelessly to prepare for the day, helped all day long with the event, then worked an additional fund raiser at the Pizza Place on South Main that night. Thank you very much to AJ, Avery, Lauren, Jenna, Vasha, Walker, Grace, Kylie, Ashton, and Anna.
Weatherford ISD Administration and Staff and Brazos RIver RDSPD Staff
What an amazing amount of support! Special Thanks to: Jeffrey Hanks-Superintendent, Kathy Ray-Deputy Superintendent, Lance Campbell-Executive Director of Secondary Education, Charlotte LaGrone-Executive Director of Organization Culture, Lynn Pool-Executive Director of Student Services, Monty Chapman-Executive Director of human Resources, Kristi Dowd-WHS Principal,Tra Hall-Wright Principal, Leslie Ackmann & Todd Jones-WHS Assistant Principals, Alma Nichols-Assistant to the Principal, Richard Scoggins- Executive Director of Athletics, Katy Smith-WHS Librarian, PeeWee & Marilyn- Custodians, and of course special thanks to Patti Young, Executive Director of Special Programs for your on-going support of the Brazos River RDSPD as well as Missy Piper, Special Education Director for the Parker County Co-op. Special thanks to the staff who worked for this day and everyday to improve the lives and education of the students of the Brazos River including: Laura Booth, BJ Brann, Andrea Cox, Samantha Crocker, Pam Ferguson, Christy Fugitt, Meagan Glass, Mary Guthrie, Kristie Henry, Jasmine Hernandez, Teresa Hobbs, Lindsey King, Mandy Lashbrook, Addie Little, Melissa Mello, Marty Painter, Chandler Schoonover, Kaity Sheppard, Ashtin Smith, Lauren Tillis-White, Mendi Winn, and Sarah Ybarra! Absolutely none of this would have happened without our BRRDSPD Program Assistant, Kristal Bullock!
Special Thanks to The Judges of the Competition
These three highly prestigious and extremely busy professionals had no business taking time from their busy schedules to help support these kids, but they tell me it's been a highlight of the year for them. Thank you very much, Anne Darr, Educational Consultant for ESC Region 11, Sammie Sheppard, Program Coordinator for the Tarrant County College Sign Language Interpreting Program, and Susie Tiggs, Texas State Lead for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services.
Jonathan Hutcherson, Talented and Inspirational Guest Speaker
We were so honored and appreciative to be able to admire the amazing talents of Jonathan Hutcherson. He shared personal stories of his life as a hard of hearing individual and completely related to the students of the Brazos River. This very personable 17 year old connected immediately with his audience and performed his award winning singing talent. After the competition, he answered questions from the BRRDSPD students, then stayed for a fund raising concert for all the students of Weatherford High School. That evening he even came back to The Pizza Place in Weatherford to support even another fund raising event for the Brazos River RDSPD. Thank you, Jonathan for being a true inspiration for everyone you met!
Weatherford South Main Walmart and the Granbury Walmart
Your generous support of this event is very much appreciated. Your donation supported our event and will have a long lasting positive effect on the lives of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing students of the Brazos River RDSPD. Special Thanks to Janet Law, former teacher of the Brazos River RDSPD for all your contributions in making this a quality event.
Oaxaca Mexican Cuisine-216 W. Interstate 20, Weatherford
The catered enchilada dinner was delicious. Thanks to Oaxaca Mexican Cuisine! Sure appreciate your support!
The Pizza Place-1218 S. Main St. Weatherford
Thank you Roger Grizzard for your generous donation and support of the Brazos River RDSPD and the WHS Superintendent's Student Advisory Council!
Wiseman House Chocolates-406 W. Grubbs St, Hico
The thank you gifts for our judges, time keeper, and speaker were just a little sweeter because of the generous donation of the Wiseman House Chocolates. Thank you for all your support!
Communication Contest Finalists Prepare to Compete in Lubbock in May 2017
First Place Winner- 11th Grader- Tammy Wilson
Second Place Winner- 6th Grader - Jodi Oesterle
Third Place Winner - 7th Grader - Madison Birchell
Forth Place Winner/Alternate- 11th Grader - Juliana Jack
More Pictures!
Please "like" our Facebook to see more photos from the event!
Brazos River Regional Day School Program for the Deaf
Email: Abelding@parkercountyco-op.net
Website: Www.brazosriverrdspd.com
Location: 612 N Rusk St, Weatherford, TX, United States
Phone: 817-596-0024
Facebook: Facebook.com/brazosriverrdspd