Channel WLNS 6 News did a feature story on MSD's Sports programs!
Video Transcript is below the video.
Video Transcript:
Two news anchors are sitting on a long sofa in front of a “Feel Good Friday” sign.
Chivon Kloepfer: Thanks for joining on this Feel Good Friday. I’m Chivon Kloepfer, and we begin tonight with an inspiring story from Flint. That’s where our Kara Adams from our 6 Sports Team, traveled recently and learned a lot about the athletic program at the Michigan School for the Deaf.
Kara Adams: Yes Chivon, the school has so many different activities and sports to offer, from bowling to basketball. There is something for everyone and I got to know a little more about the school’s girls’ basketball team.
The camera shifts to the Belsky Gym at MSD.
(scene of female student banging on a big drum)
(scene of coach and signing to players during a basketball game
The Martin Belskey Gymnasium is like any other gym except it may be a little quieter and you may hear this that’s because the Martin Belskey Gym plays host to the Michigan School for the Deaf basketball team, and the student athletes at MSD can feel the vibrations of that drum which is another way to connect and celebrate with their teammates.
Lindsay Lantagne stands in a hallway signing.
Lindsay Lantagne: They all have passion, and motivation, and just the understanding that we are all the same ultimately and it shows that. I want to let them show their passion as well. That is amazing when that happens. In the hearing world, or even at home with their parents and hearing family members, they often feel neglected and isolated.
(Female athletes playing basketball.)
Kara Adams: That’s Lindsay Lantagne, who is a CODA; a child of a deaf adult, and also the athletic director at MSD, whose goal is to get all students involved in sports to help them feel a sense of community.
Destiny Esch: It’s important for any kids to feel included, and to feel like they’re part of something. She gets to be herself, she doesn’t have to worry about interpreters, just trying to find friends, they’re friends everywhere.
(Female basketball players interacting in the gym)
Kara Adams: Since being at MSD, Destiny Esch says, the school has helped her daughter Aubrey fully accept herself.
Destiny Esch: My daughter finally found her identity being deaf. She’s very proud that she’s deaf. She no longer says to me, like, that she doesn’t want to be deaf, she wishes she could hear, because she used to say things like that quite a bit. She’s very proud of it.
Kara Adams: That’s one of the goals of MSD: Help everyone who comes through find their voice.
Freida Morrison: I cherish these memories. They are so close to my heart. I just have to say thank you to this school for teaching me who I am, teaching me that I can advocate for myself, to speak up for myself, that I can be involved, that I can be a leader. I give thanks to this school so much for that.
Galilea Tristan-Perez: At first it was awkward. I was shy, kind of quiet and now it’s, I don’t care, I talk more, I’m more inspired. I’m not quiet. I’m more active now.
Lucas VanDalen: So that they’re able to eventually become leaders in the community and they can learn how to break down barriers. For example, beating defense on the opposing team, that can apply to life, breaking down those barriers outside in the real world. So I enjoy coaching these kids to see how they navigate through these barriers and ultimately break them.
(Students competing in a basketball game)
Kara Adams: Sports are a microcosm of life, and that’s why at the Michigan School for the Deaf, sports are an integral part of the curriculum. And these students athletes are a reminder that no matter what sports may sound like for you, they’re for everyone