Photo by: Jesus Morales (Deaf Student)Last October 24, 2009, the UP Special Education Council (UPSEC) in partnership with SDEAS hosted “Espesyalista 2009: A Quiz Bee for Deaf Students”
Seven elementary schools from Metro Manila and neighboring provinces joined the competition: Antipolo SPED Center, Batino Elementary School, Bagong Silang Elementary School, Barro Obrero Elementary School, Commonwealth Annex, Gen. M. Hizon Elementary School and Rosa Susano Elementary School.
The program started with a prayer lead by an UPSEC member, Jennifer Pampelona, followed by the Philippine National Anthem, which was lead by SDEAS student, Raphael Domingo. Ms. Maria Veronica Templo-Perez, the Dean of SDEAS, gave the welcome remarks. The audience watched in amazement as Silent Steps presented a special number entitled “I Have a Dream”.
As Dean Perez had said in her welcome remarks, it was an opportunity for the SDEAS students to look back at their humble beginnings and remember that they too were once elementary students. For the contestants, it was opportunity to see that there is life even after they graduate from high school and hopefully the thought of going to College would motivate them to study hard and achieve their dreams.
The quiz bee proper was composed of questions from the different subject areas ranging from easy to difficult. After a close fight, Commonwealth Annex emerged as the winner followed by Rosa Susano Elementary School in second place and Bagong Silang Elementary School in third place.
Espesyalista was a venue where elementary Deaf students showed their academic competence. It promoted the use of sign language in Deaf education and empowered the Deaf students, giving them a sense of confidence and a learning experience. But most importantly, it upheld the advocacy that it is the ability and not the disability that matters.
Written by: Bea Francisco
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