California Youth Ambassadorship Program
Press Release: CAD Conference 2009 Update
CAD hosted its 49th biennial conference in Clovis, CA during the weekend of August 13-16th. The conference had different events such as workshops, film and panel, board meetings, presentations, children program, and luncheon/BBQ dinner.
One of the highlight during 2009 CAD conference was the announcement of the new youth program: California Deaf Youth Ambassadorship Program (CDYAP). The State Director Daniel Girard and Assistant Director Karina Pedersen along with their committee worked hard planning an exciting event, the Mr. & Ms. Deaf California Ambassadorship (MDCA) event. We had a total of six contestants, four females and two males, representing different regions in California. Our contestants were:
- •Danielle Duran, Miss Deaf CSUN
- •Darren Hause, Mr. Deaf Los Angeles
- •Deborah Kanter, Miss Deaf Tarzana
- •Nha Kim, Miss CSD
- •Tommy Korn, Mr. Deaf Orange County
- •Kayla Thomas, Miss DCARA
In order to best prepare them for CAD conference and MDCA event, we had a weeklong retreat at the California School for the Deaf in Fremont. Workshops, team-building activities, and rehearsals were planned to help education and prepare them for CAD and its youth program. We had Sandra Ammons presenting about Deafhood. Butch Zein discussed self promotion the right way. Kate Kovacs inspired them to change from negative to positive thinking and making changes happen. Amanda Folendorf shared her experience as Miss Deaf California. Daniel Girard explained his vision and future plan for CDYAP. And finally, Karina Pedersen provided information on Media, Technology, and Deaf Culture. As outlined by CAD for its’ Youth Program, the participants had the opportunity to learn and discuss the 6 focal points: Deafhood, Education, ASL, Community Giving, Media, and Youth. This session blossomed into inspiration as each contestant had an opportunity to visualize a chosen focal point and express it as a painted canvas. As a culmination of the retreat, we went to San Francisco for the afternoon and dinner. During our trip, we shared some deaf culture and history that occurred in San Francisco.
On Thursday, August 13th, we all transported to Clovis for the conference and met up with CAD Board for dinner at Bobby Salzer Mexican restaurant. The contestants and Board members had the opportunity to get to know each other. Even though contestants were busy prepping for the main event on Saturday, they still went to watch the fascinating DYUSA workshop provided by Tara Holcomb and Megan Malzkuhn discussing about deaf youth organization on the international, national, and local levels. Finally, the big event arrived, Mr. and Ms. Deaf California Ambassadorship event took place on Saturday, August 15th at the Clovis Veteran Memorial Building. Wayne Betts, Co-founder of Convo, and Michelle Lapides, Miss Deaf America, kept the audience well-entertained as emcees. We also emphasized that we are going green to save environment by developing Program PowerPoint instead of creating program book. The Program PowerPoint will be added to our website, www.cadyouth.org. A surprise was thrown in which was the auctioning of six artworks that contestants created and we raised nearly three thousand dollars! The money that we raised will go to the new scholarship program with its goal is to help empower Deaf youth in achieving their dreams reinforcing our 6 focal points. A big hand waves goes to Gerald “Bummy” Bernstein, Ella Mae Lentz, Judy Gough, Butch Zein, and Daniel Girard who won the auction.
Our contestants kept the audience entertained with various presentations on connecting with Latino Deaf families, advantages of having media for Deaf community, continuing involvement with supporting deaf education and ensuring that teachers are certified, personal experience with redefining Deaf, Deaf role models in California, and Domestic Violence. The artistic expression category allowed contestants to express themselves on stage. The event ended with an exciting announcement of our 2009-2011 Mr. Deaf California Ambassador, Tommy Korn, and Ms. Deaf California Ambassador, Kayla Thomas. Mr. Korn will represent us at the National Leadership Training Conference in Ohio this coming October. Ms. Thomas will represent us at the 2010 NAD Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The remaining contestants who also did an outstanding job will represent us at the state level for the next two years. Many thanks goes to our judges, Alan "SPO" Schwartz, Julie Rems-Smario, and Gabe Leung, had most challenging job in selecting our new winners.
CDYAP is off to an amazing start and we will continue to grow and provide support for our deaf youths from age 14 to 30. Please check our website for more information and keep your eyes peeled for our announcement of new scholarship program. Daniel Girard, State Director California Deaf Youth Ambassadorship Program.
