TENNESSEE OBSERVER - Tennessee School for the Deaf

over 150 years of educating deaf
theTENNESSEE OBSERVER
and hard of hearing children
looking to the future with our roots firmly planted in the traditions of the past
looking to the future with our roots firmly planted in the traditions of the past
Volume 134 Tennessee School for the Deaf, Knoxville 37920
(Issue No. 2)Winter 2011
Homecoming Queen Crowned
Amber Crawford, the 2010 TSD Homecoming Queen and her escort, Johnathan Crawford
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The Tennessee Observer
Homecoming Weekend
By Cassie Disheroon
From left to right are: Jarius Parker, Michelle Mancero, Dustin Miller, Marlene Pacheco, Collin Miles, Kenesia Langs, Homecoming Queen
Amber Crawford, Johnathan Crawford, Hunter Tiery, Cassie Disheroon, Michael Whittermore and Katie Wilson.
On Oct. 29, I was excited about the
Homecoming dance and my family came to
watch me. I wore a light blue gown, silver
heels and curly hair. Many people told me
that I looked like Cinderella. I shook my
head and focused on my night. Kenesia,
THE TENNESSEE OBSERVER
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Shelley King & Brandi Rood
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Katie, Maria, Marlene, Amber, Johnathan,
Collin, Michael, Dustin, Jarius, Hunter
and I were standing in the center of the
Dining Hall floor waiting with anticipation.
The girls and I were the princesses.
Who would be the Homecoming Queen?
They announced 2 nd runner up; it was me!
Kenesia became 1 st runner up. Amber won
Homecoming Queen. I was proud to be 2 nd
runner up. Laura Bledsoe took pictures of
my escort Hunter and me outside by the
clinic. We stood and smiled for pictures. It
was a really beautiful evening.
Oct. 30, game day, was a very busy day
for me. I was involved with three clubs:
Jr.NAD, Academic Bowl and the St. Jude
fundraiser. I helped Kenesia sell St. Jude t-
shirts. Mostly, I helped Katie sell hoodies
and blankets for the Academic Bowl team.
While I was on my break, I chatted with my
friends and went to sit with Hunter’s grandparents
for the football game. During halftime,
they announced the Homecoming
Court. So, we walked out on the football
field for a short presentation. It was a very
nice and cold afternoon.
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The Tennessee Observer
The New "Old Gym"
This article was first printed in
the Spring 2008 edition of the Tennessee
Observer. The “New Old Gym” has now
been dedicated (see article on page 4)
and it seems fitting to reprint portions of
the article at this time. – Editor
Have you ever wondered about that
old building that sits abandoned on the hill
behind the Ward Building? That is the
“Old Gym” and those of us who have
worked here for a while can remember
going there for recreation, skating, and
assemblies. Middle School basketball games
and volleyball games were played in the
gym. There were parties and events there
for many, many years. In the glory days of
the Old Gym, there was swimming, bowling,
and physical education. Then it was
closed one day and there was talk about if
“she” was worth saving. The Old Gym has
quite a history and her historic value includes
an interesting past.
In 1924, Superintendent Ethel Poore
asked the State Legislature for appropriations
for the new building. Bids for the
gymnasium for the Tennessee School for
the Deaf were opened on November 28,
1927. Work was begun a month later. The
site of one of the old barns on the Island
Home campus was chosen for its location.
Thomas Marr of the Nashville architecture
firm Marr & Holman was chosen
as the design team for the new building.
Marr was a graduate of TSD and the state’s
first deaf architect. He designed plans that
included two swimming pools (twenty by
sixty feet), a large floor space for physical
training, basketball, a bowling lane, locker
rooms, and a balcony for spectators. The
tower of a parapet tower with pyramid roof
was designed to afford a view of the city of
Knoxville. Marr’s work often included his
use of parapet walls and Colonial design
similar to the Ward Building.
Superintendent Alan Mealka proudly
discussed in a recent interview the renovations
that will begin soon to the Old Gym
to return her to her 1928 “glory”. Work is
slated for completion by July of 2009. The
old basement will be filled in and a new
locker room and Student Union Area will
be added for recreation. The building will
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The newly restored "Old Gym" in 2010.
The "Old Gym" under construction in March of 1928.
receive new windows, heating and air conditioning,
and a new roof. All of the original
brick will be cleaned and restored. The
wooden floors will be restored. The top
observation area will be kept and used as a
walking/running track. Even the pyramidal
top will be reconstructed. (The old “top”
was destroyed by lightning). Future plans
for using the Old Gym as a multi-purpose
recreation area for the students was motivation
enough to continue the project. Mr.
Mealka is very excited about retaining the
Old Gym’s Colonial design brought to
fruition by Thomas Marr. If you look very
closely on old postcards of the early campus,
you will be able to see the Old Gym,
just as you will be able to see it restored like
new in 2009!
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New "Old Gym" Opening Ceremony
The Tennessee Observer
Congratulations Jeanne!
Congratulations to Jeanne Fair who
received the Distinguished Service Award
from the TSDAA at Homecoming 2010.
She received a plaque that reads:
Emma Dickinson, Superintendent Alan Mealka, and Eric Fisher open the New Old Gym.
The “New” Old Gym has been restored!
A dedication ceremony was held on
October 31, 2010 with a capacity crowd of
alumni and staff of the Tennessee School
for the Deaf. Superintendent Alan Mealka,
Tennessee School for the Deaf Alumni
Association President Emma Dickinson,
and TSD Senior Class President Eric Fisher
spoke briefly about the glorious new facility.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was conducted
and refreshments were served. Viking
pride was evident as everyone toured
the gym. Our gratitude for a job well done
cannot be expressed! Future generations
will enjoy and appreciate the efforts that
went into this well deserved project.
Distinguished Service Award
Jeanne Fair
Is very deserving of the
TSD Hall of Fame
Distinguished Service Award
She is in many ways,
Ms. TSD!
October 30, 2010
PPatriotic Day at TSD
Maryville College Trip
By Daniel Dorris
I had a fun weekend at Maryville
College, and I learned a lot also. I learned
that if you don’t show up in class the
teacher will come to you to see if you’re
okay or not. Teachers call you by your
name and not numbers like at UT. At
Maryville College, the people you meet are
not only friends but you can also be a
family. They can help you when you need
it. You are there to learn, but they help you
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learn too.
I stayed with a friend named Patrick.
He’s like a big brother to me. The first
night we just hung out and got to know each
other and we also went to see an ASL film
called “Black Sand”. I laughed at the movie.
It was so funny! The next day we went
to a party. Everybody said I was a good
dancer. The party was totally AWESOME!
I danced with one girl named Danielle. I
found it funny because my name is Daniel.
After the party we hung out, played games,
and slept. The only bad part about going to
Maryville College was when I had to leave.
I love my family at Maryville College.
TSD’s Annual Patriotic Day, celebrated
on Veteran’s Day, honors both veterans
and those who are actively serving our
country. This year, our high school Boy
Scout troop’s color guard began the ceremony
by presenting the American flag
while we signed the Pledge of Allegiance.
Sandy Swafford, Barry Swafford’s brother,
sent a video explaining how his federal IT
position enables him, as a Deaf individual,
to support our military. To conclude the
ceremony and to celebrate America’s soldiers,
a group of high school students did an
exceptional job signing “God Bless America”.
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The Tennessee Observer
The highlight of this years’ celebration
though, was a letter campaign to support
soldiers who are on deployment. A deployed,
former TSD employee, Adam Smith,
was one of these recipients who shared the
letters with his unit. They were thrilled!
Adam even reported that some soldiers
were so touched they were brought to tears.
In return, a few members of his unit sent a
thank you picture to the students. It was an
excellent way for our students to realize
how we can support our soldiers.
F50th Day of School
On Tuesday, October 26 th , the Elementary
School celebrated the 50 th Day of
School at the Akin Gym where the kids and
adults had a rockin’ good time!
Since the beginning of the school year,
classes have been counting the days so
when we arrived at 50 we decided to have
a 50’s Day celebration – the 1950’s.
Students and staff alike came dressed for
the occasion wearing poodle skirts, rolled
up blue jeans and t-shirts, varsity letter
sweaters, saddle shoes and white socks.
Girls sported pony tails and scarves while
the boys had their hair slicked back with a
comb in their back pocket.
The activities began by dancing “The
Hokey Pokey”. Next we counted to 50 by
10’s, 5’s, 2’s and 1’s! The 4 th and 5 th
graders led us in 10 different actions which
we did 5 times each to equal 50. We
danced to “Splish Splash”, did the Twist
and the Bunny Hop and then did a slow
dance - 50’s style - to the Beach Boys’ Surfer
Girl.
A 50’s Day celebration wouldn’t be
complete without the Limbo and Hula
Hoops which the kids loved. We invited a
local woman who is an expert in Hula
Hooping and she gave away 6 homemade
hoops. The Limbo was fun to watch as it
got lower and lower – easy for the students
but much more difficult for the teachers!
The day ended with a Fashion Show
and a Bubble Gum Blowing Contest. The
students enjoyed going down the “runway”
to show off their outfits. Certificates were
awarded to students who had attended
school all 50 Days; the Best Dressed Boy
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Soldiers from Adam Smith's unit say "Thank You" to all TSD students!
University of Tennessee intern Meghan Seay and Henry Thomas Ritchie are ready for the fifties.
and Girl for each class and the Biggest
Bubble Blower for each class.
The students and staff really enjoyed
celebrating the 50 th Day of School. It was
a great way to teach math, social studies
and physical education in a different way
and it exposed the students to life in the
1950’s as compared to life in 2010! Plans
are already underway to celebrate the 100’s
Day of School in January.
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The Tennessee Observer
Deaf Artists in America
The 12th Annual Clerc/Gallaudet Program
The Clerc/Gallaudet Committee really did their homework for the 12 th
Annual Clerc & Gallaudet Program! The audience was reminded of the reason
for our celebration: to honor Laurent Clerc and Thomas Gallaudet on their
birthdays in December. The Jr. NAD presented the wreath and opened the
program. This year we learned about “Deaf Artists in America”.
Our own artist and art teacher Mark Hamrick explained the reasons for
art. Art is “like taking your heart and putting it on the page for all to see and
appreciate.” Did you know that the first known American Deaf artist was
William Mercer? He painted “The Battle Of Princeton” back in the 1700’s.
He was also known for his unique portraits painted on ivory. Other artists
followed with names that need to be recognized: John Carlin for his portraits
and his most famous charcoal sketch of Laurent Clerc…. Charlotte B. Colman
– the first known Deaf female artist…… David L. Bloch for his unique prints
from the Holocaust……Douglas Tilden for his sculptures……Eugene E.
Hannan for his bronze work….Felix Kowalewski for his work as an art
biographer…..Ralph R. Miller for his skill as an ASL illustrator……Betty G.
Miller, Charles C. Baird, and Mark Fisher for their unique De’Via works using
visual interaction art.
Tennessee School for the Deaf has been blessed to have some of the works
of Charles C. Baird in the Ward Building. High School Art teacher Rebecca
Houser reminded each student that everyone has the potential to be an artist of
some sort!
Thank-you to the Clerc-Gallaudet Committee for inspiring all of us!
“My Family History” by David L. Bloch - Woodcut
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Construction Core and Carpentry Classes
Jordan Webb, Alonte McClellan, Heath Tripplett, Instructor Daniel Jerrolds and Daniel Dorris.
The Construction Core and Carpentry
classes have been working a new project
since the spring. They were lucky enough
to inherit the wood from the bleachers
during the “New Old Gym" (NOG) renovation.
The classes have built 3 cabinets from
the wood. One cabinet is in Mr. Mealka’s
office, one in Mrs. Alexander’s and a third
is in the NOG. These are really nice pieces
and it’s a neat concept that we are ‘recycling’
materials to be used and stay on
campus (hopefully for generations to come!).
When you look at the cabinets remember
that every piece: sides, shelves, door frames,
etc. (except for the back) were fabricated
from decades old bleachers. Many students
were involved: Shawn Carico, Michael
Whittemore, Daniel Dorris, Jordan
Webb, Heath Triplett, Alonte McClellan
and some others who graduated last spring.
The instructor, Daniel Jerrolds, wants to
thank them for their hard work and hopes
they’ll be able to see these projects when
they come to visit TSD after they’ve left!
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The Tennessee Observer
CCulinary Arts at TSD
The Culinary Arts Class at the Tennessee School for the Deaf has a new publication. The page shown is the front page
of the first edition. You can find out more and see the entire publication on the TSD web site at http://tsdeaf.org.
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The Tennessee School for the Deaf is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, equal access, and affirmative action.
Contact the EEO/AA/ADA Coordinator, (865) 594-6022 (Voice/TDD) for further information.
TENNESSEE OBSERVER
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Colorful Faces and Colorful Hair
Pancake & Sausage Day, an annual fund rasing event at
TSD, always includes a face painting booth. This year, it
seemed as though, although never seen, somebody, somewhere
was also painting hair.
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