Pageants and Deaf
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Sunday, April 5, 2009
By Anne Carlson
Beauty pageants have been around for ages. From young girls to grown
women participants, pageants are a contest that judges based on
beauty characteristics, talents, knowledge, etc. When society thinks
of these pageants, they are not normally reflected upon in a
positive manner. When it comes to the deaf world there are such
great resources for positive experiences. “The National Association
of the Deaf (NAD), established in 1880 by deaf leaders who believed
in the right of the American deaf community to use sign language, to
congregate on issues important to them, and to have its interest
represented at the national level” (About). Since NAD is a national
association, the girls and women that may take interest in
participating in pageants have access to the Miss Deaf America
Pageant (MDAP).
“MDAP offers young women between the ages of 18 and 28 an
opportunity to develop self-confidence as they compete to become a
goodwill ambassador and spokeswoman of the NAD” (Miss). The first
pageant was held in Miami beach, Florida (Miss). The pageant was
established to originate deaf women from other pageant contestants
(Miss). MDAP is thought of as an event to help women, as previously
stated, rather than pinpoint their flaws or their exterior beauty.
MDAP has broken the mold of most pageant stereotypes. “In 1976, the
word “talent” was removed and it simply became known as the Miss
Deaf America Pageant, following closely the structure of the Miss
Deaf America Pageant” (Miss). MDAP is one of the most positive
outlets for deaf women, helping to promote a bright future for the
girls.
The portrayal of pageants on television and movies exhibits
“catlike” qualities amongst women. The MDAP starts at the state
level, then the contestants move on to the national competition.
According to the Daily Sundial, when referring to the CSUN Miss Deaf
Pageant, a former pageant winner says about the program, “One goal
of the pageant is to teach contestants to learn about themselves, to
foster independence, and to identify individual strengths and
collaborative efforts” (Serrano). The article discusses the positive
attributes of the pageant and how it has greatly impacted the deaf
community.
While completing research on the ties between American Sign Language
and the deaf community, there were an array of touching stories. The
Colorado Springs Gazette ran a story about Jade Sims, 19, who was
voted Miss Deaf Colorado. She had always dreamed of becoming a Miss
Deaf winner. She is one of nine children, six of the nine including
herself are deaf. Her victory was a great representation of her deaf
family. The Colorado Association of the Deaf President talks about
Jade’s journey to winning, “She showcased her talents in American
Sign Language. Her story was about being a leader. I strongly
believe she has what it takes to be the next Miss Deaf America”
(Brown). The competition is a great platform for deaf women to be
recognized and declare their opinions.
MDAP is more than a beauty pageant. Personally, I don’t even think
it should be called a pageant. It is less of a competition and more
of an exhibit for deaf women to meet and interact with one another.
It is a form of discovery. Contestants admire one another rather
than wanting to oust each other. Amazing women have come from the
pageants and been able to share themselves with the world. I have a
new found respect for the deaf community and the opportunities for
those who get involved.
References
“About the National Association of the Deaf.” NAD.org. 1 April 2009.
http://nad.org/site/pp.asp?c=foINKQMBF&b=4429191.htm
Brown, Andrea. 2006. “Dreaming up a Big Trip.” The Colorado Springs
Gazette. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4191/is_20060516/ai_n16417801/?tag=content;col1
“Miss Deaf America Pageant History.” NAD.org. 1 April 2009. http://nad.org/openhouse/programs/mda.html
Serrano, Felicia. 2009. “The CSUN Miss Deaf Pageant.” Daily Sundial.
http://sundial.com.csun.edu/the-csun-miss-deaf-pageant-1.1372970
By Lien Nguyen, 3/26/2008
Pageants for Deaf
There are many known beauty pageants on television and in
United State for young girls, boys and women today. These girls,
boys and women joined pageants, such as, Miss Teen America, Miss
National Teenager Pageant, Miss USA, etc. in hope to expand
community services, friendships, do some charity work, win
scholarships and prizes and especially win the title of Miss or
Mr. Beauty Pageant of that year. But what many hearing people do
not realized is that there are many deaf that would love to
participate in this kind of activity. Deaf also feel that they
have talent and beauty just like the others and they should be
able to participate in things like the hearing. And this is why
there are several different pageants for the deaf.
One pageant for the deaf that I came upon during my research is
Miss Deaf America Pageant. Many hearing people, including
myself, probably have never heard of Miss Deaf America Pageant
before because we, as hearing, are too involved and focused in
our world. However, the Miss Deaf America Pageant is a
competition pageant that is offers to young deaf women between
the ages of 18 and 28. This pageant gives the deaf the
opportunity to develop self-confidence, as well, as to become a
goodwill spokeswoman of the National Association of the Deaf.
The goal of the pageant is to encourage girls and boys to be
future leaders for the youth programs of the National
Association of the Deaf. The Miss Deaf America Pageant begun in
1966 by a man name Douglas J. Burke. Burke’s purpose of this
pageant was to find hidden talents of deaf people. With his
great idea, there are now many other pageants for the deaf
community. There are pageants, such as, National Association of
the Deaf, the Miss Deaf America Talent Pageant, the National
Association Deaf, Youth Leadership Camp, the Junior NAD and the
Collegiate NAD (“Miss Deaf America Pageant History”).
Burke explained, that “the main objective of the Miss Deaf
America Talent Pageant was…a new concept to help us elevate the
image and self-concept of deaf ladies throughout the United
States. This is not an ordinary contest…beauty, poise,
gracefulness is desirable qualities, but the biggest point is
one’s cultural talent performance” (“Miss Deaf America Pageant
History”).
In September of 1994, 21-year-old Heather Whitestone who
competed in the Miss Deaf America pageant and was crowned the
“first” deaf Miss America surprised the deaf community.
Heather’s competition was not different from other competitions.
There were no changes made due to her hearing. She won in the
same way that any other contestant would have won. Whitestone
clearly and verbally conveyed the messages of her platform,
answered questions, looked stunning in her bathing suit and
formal gown, and she also performed amazing talent. Her talent
was a classical ballet dance set, in which she couldn’t hear the
sound of the music (Drummond).
Also in the year 2006, Chelsea Tobin who is a South Dakota
native was crowned Miss Deaf America for 2006-2008 at the 2006
National Association Deaf Conference in Palm Desert, California.
Tobin is very involved with different organizations that are
related to disabilities, such as, the National Youth Leadership
Network and Youth Leadership Forum. At the Youth Leadership
Forum 2006, Tobin served as the Master of Ceremonies, and during
her senior year in high school, she served as a page under her
local representative for 2005 legislative session in Pierre,
being the first deaf person to do so. And now Tobin is a student
at Augustana College in Sioux Fall and is majoring in Deaf
Education and Elementary Education (“National Association for
the Deaf”).
Like Heather Whitestone and Chelsea Tobin, there are many other
deaf that are beautiful, smart, confident and talented. These
girls and boys that are hard of hearing or deaf deserve a chance
to show their great qualities in competitions, such as, beauty
pageants. These pageants give deaf contestants the opportunity
to compete within other people from the deaf community to become
spokes men or women for deaf culture. These pageants can help
the deaf to build self confidence within them and also to become
a role model for other young girls and boys. Therefore, whether
you are deaf or just know someone who is deaf, the Miss Deaf
America Pageant is a nice way to show the deaf that anything is
possible.
Work Cited
Drummond, Megan (23 January 2008) “Miss Deaf America”
Suite101.com. Retrieved 24 March 2008:
http://deafness.suite101.com/article.cfm/miss_deaf_america
“Miss Deaf America Pageant History”. Utah Association for the
Deaf. 14 January 2005. Retrieved 20 March 2008: http://www.uad.org/mdup/mdap_history.htm
“Miss Deaf America 2006-2008” National Association of the Deaf.
Retrieved 20 March 2008 http://www.nad.org/mdatobin
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