Wisconsin School for the Deaf - The Wisconsin Times Vol. 133 No. 3 Spring 2012 | Page 9

Deaf Community Connections
EDITOR’S NOTE:
WSD aims to develop the whole child: academically, culturally, linguistically, socially, and emotionally. In this issue the various writers have
highlighted at least 5 main areas of outreach and role modeling with the Deaf Community both at large and within our school wide Deaf Community.
Highlighted are stories about: the Blood Drive, WSD’s 160th Anniversary Events, and the Jr. NAD Conference. In keeping with the Bi-Bi
Philosophy, we have highlighted the Family Conference and have noted that the students in the elementary department participated in the annual
Valentine’s Dance which included dancing various styles of dances that were previously taught in gym class.

Celebrating 160 Years!
1852-2012
On April 19, 2012, WSD celebrated
its 160th year of service. Throughout
the day, many enriching activities were
coordinated under the leadership of
Karla Gunn and designed and led by
various students, teachers, and ASL club
sponsors. Read and celebrate with us!
Some of the elementary students had
no concept of how long 160 years was.
When they learned that WSD was
established before Abraham Lincoln was
President, their jaws dropped to the floor.
They enjoyed both, the tour of WSD’s
museum, led by WSD alumni and retiree,
Tom Harbison and WSD Librarian and
Archivist, Nell Fleming as well as the
planned learning activities in the gym.
Their favorite activity was viewing the
old photos of WSD former students and
current staff. Students were practically
jumping out of their seats trying to
identify the WSD staff member’s faces.
The 8th grade students in Brian Lievens
class performed three A-Z stories about
the fire that destroyed the main building
in 1879. Members of the Middle School
ASL Club conducted a Jeopardy game
using trivia about WSD at their station in
the gym. The WSD museum tour and the
alumni panel were the favorite activities
of the middle schoolers.
The Kelly family represents four generations of WSD alumni. At far right, Guy Kelly, in addition to his brother Steve and their mother Ethel (Cass) Kelly
are all alumni. Guy’s wife, Betty (Sanderson) and their 2 sons, Dean and Ed as well as Dean’s wife, Susie (Sinnen) and their two sons Ryan and Casey are
also WSD alumni. Three generations of Halladas have attended WSD. The father and son duo of William and Vaughn were both present for the panel.
William’s wife, Caryl, and William’s father Charles are also alumni.
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