OK School for the Deaf to Host Gallaudet University’s Midwest Regional Academic Bowl for Deaf and Hard of Hearing High School Students Feb 4-6

SULPHUR, Okla. — The Oklahoma School for the Deaf, headquartered in Sulphur, will host Gallaudet University’s Midwest Regional Academic Bowl on Feb. 4 -6 for deaf and hard of hearing students from 16 high schools in 11 states.

Gallaudet University is a four-year university located in Washington, D.C. for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. It is the only liberal arts university for deaf students in the world.

Gallaudet University President Dr. Alan Hurwitz will be at OSD for the competition. He will welcome parents and students to a luncheon for invited guests.

Approximately 80 students are expected to participate in the quiz tournament, which is similar to those held by high schools and colleges throughout the country with two exceptions. Questions will be presented to contestants in American Sign Language, as well as in spoken and written English. “Deaf Studies” will be one of the question categories.

OSD sophomore Jane Osborn from Sulphur said, “I feel excited about the competition because I’d like to see how much I know. It’s a good experience for the students here at the Oklahoma School for the Deaf. We don’t have to travel somewhere else, and the OSD team, which is young, will get some experience.”

Matches begin at 8 a.m. on Fri., Feb. 5, and Sat., Feb. 6. Four competitions will be held each hour. The semi-finals are scheduled at 4 p.m. on Sat. with finals at 7:30 p.m. the same day The competition and awards ceremonies are free and open to the public.

“This is the first time that OSD has hosted the Midwest Regional Academic Bowl,” said Tommy Varner, event chairperson and athletic director, football coach and a math teacher at OSD. “I think it’s wonderful that OSD is able to get nationwide recognition for hosting this tournament.

“The Academic Bowl is a top priority for us at OSD. We are providing top rate facilities and staff so that everything goes smoothly for the kids.”

The Academic Bowl for Deaf and Hard of Hearing High School Students was established by Gallaudet University twelve years ago. Competitions will also be held in February and March in Utah, Florida, New Jersey and Massachusetts.

Last year, 80 of the 400 students who participated advanced from the regional contests to the national competition held at Gallaudet University.

“The Academic Bowl brings together deaf and hard of hearing high school students from all over the country—from deaf and mainstream schools—to match wits on a wide range of topics,” national coordinator Sherry Duhon said. “There’s no competition like it anywhere else in the world.”

To learn more about Gallaudet University’s 2010 Academic Bowl for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students, go to: http://ab.gallaudet.edu/Academic_Bowl_Home.html . For more information about the Midwest Regional Academic Bowl in Oklahoma, contact Tommy Varner at the Oklahoma School for the Deaf at 580 622-4900 during school hours.

The Oklahoma School for the Deaf, headquartered in Sulphur, is a division of the Department of Rehabilitation Services. The school offers preschool through high school education programs on campus for residential students and those who commute from home. Preschool programs are also available for children who are deaf at regional sites in Edmond, Collinsville and Chickasha. OSD’s outreach staff offer free early intervention, student evaluations and onsite consultation on modifications to improve learning environments for students attending local public schools and their families. All services are available at no charge.

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