Wisconsin School for the Deaf - The Wisconsin Times Vol. 134 No. 1 Fall 2012 | Page 21

Marika Beyer Senior, Marika Beyer, just returned to WSD after spending three years at the Texas School for the Deaf. She says the biggest changes in returning are the many more and new rules at WSD, but notices that these rules are very positive. This time at WSD, Marika is able to experience living in the dorm, which she enjoys. She says everything and everyone is very familiar, family-friendly, and home-like. Marika is on the volleyball team and participates in the Sign Song Dancers. She also hopes to play basketball, cheerlead for the boys’ basketball team and join the track and field team. One of Marika’s favorite classes is work-study, as she is placed with assisting teacher Mrs. Therese Pohl-Markowitz as well as Mrs. Rene Ambrose in the preschool. She would like to become an elementary school teacher. Welcome back! Marika Beyer 12th Grade JoAnne Cloud 12th Grade JoAnne Cloud JoAnne is an eighteen year old senior airing from Keshena, which is on the Menominee reservation. She learned about WSD from a graduate and was excited to attend the school. Since her sophomore year, she has encouraged her parents to allow her to attend WSD. JoAnne says WSD is “crazy, awesome, fun” with “cool teachers”. She does miss her family and friends at home but is busy with the WSD Volleyball team and enjoys the traveling it includes. She also enjoys basketball and wishes WSD had a girls wrestling team. She looks forward to graduation this June. In her free time, JoAnne likes to draw, listen to music and practice her basketball skills. Welcome JoAnne! Kori Koss Liara McBride 11th Grade Kori Koss 11th Grade Kori Koss, a junior, joins us from Green Bay. According to Kori, one of the best things about WSD is that all the teachers sign for themselves, which is a difference from her mainstreaming program which used interpreters. Being away from home and missing parents, friends and fellow athletes and coaches from the mainstream program has taken some adjustment. Kori has known about WSD for several years, as her big brother Taylor was a student here. Volleyball, basketball, track, and Jr. National Association of the Deaf are sports and clubs Kori is looking forward to. She wishes WSD had a girls’ golf team. Currently, Kori is participating in the creation of the 2013 yearbook. Kiara McBride Kiara is a 16 year old junior at WSD. Her family recently moved to Tomah from Boston. Before Boston, Kiara lived in both Chicago and Washington D.C. Her family moves around often because her dad is in the military. Kiara says she likes the staff and students at WSD and especially Mrs. Cheryl Trunk, Mr. James Tomasino, and Mrs. Joan Armfield. She likes her classmates Cindy, Charly and Brandaun too. Her favorite classes include Art and Social Skills. Kiara joined the Special Olympic Bowling team and is considering either the ASL club or the Sign Song Dancers. This is Kiara’s first time living in a dorm and so far, she likes it. Welcome Kiara. Fall 2012 - 21