Wyoming Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students Advance to National Academic Bowl
It's off the National Championships for the Wyoming Academic Bowl Team of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students. The high school students have advanced to the 2017 National Academic Bowl competition for the third straight year, having taken second place in the West Regionals. They'll compete at Galluadet University in Washington, D.C. in April.
The team members are Gabi Reimann (Natrona #1), Josh Graves (Sweetwater #2), Rachel Lebsack (Platte #1), and Josh Parsons (Campbell #1). They'll be traveling with their coaches Jo Otterholt and Meghan Watt.
According to the Wyoming Department of Education, the West Regionals were held at the California School for the Deaf in Riverside, California. The Wyoming team went up against almost 40 other teams, with questions a variety of questions from academics and more, including arts, sports, Deaf history, politics, and current news and events.
“It’s a learning and testing atmosphere for two days, all at the same time, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and well into the evening during the play-offs in tournaments,” said Otterholt. “Although they’re from 13 Western states, these kids form lasting friendships and stay in touch throughout the year. They support and cheer each other on.”
Gallaudet University is the world's only University for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, and hosts 80 teams in four regional sites throughout the United States. Gallaudet will pay for all of the flights, meals, and lodging for the 25 teams competing in the National Championships which will be held April 1st-4th, 2017.
If you'd like to follow the competition, you can find it at the GU Youth Programs/Academic Bowl 2017 website.