T. H. Rogers program celebrates Deaf Awareness Week

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At T. H. Rogers School, Principal David Muzyka wants to make sure his students know that hearing loss won’t stop them from achieving their dreams.

More than 900 T. H. Rogers students, staff, and community members packed the school gymnasium on Wednesday for a program celebrating Deaf Awareness Week.

The annual event recognized the achievements of deaf role models in sports, music, and entertainment, while also encouraging students to dream big and believe in themselves and their ability to be and do anything.

“Our Vanguard students learn sign language as their alternative language up through sixth grade,” Muzyka said. “Our core enrichments are all-inclusive for various programs, so we’re very supportive of each other.”

T. H. Rogers serves gifted and talented children, as well as the deaf and hard of hearing, and students with multiple impairments. The student population represents more than half of the world’s countries and hails from all parts of the district.

During the deaf awareness program, students and staff used sign language, music, and dance to celebrate the culture and language unique to the deaf and hard of hearing across the world. The T. H. Rogers Chamber Orchestra performed selections by Ralph Vaughan Williams and Ludwig Van Beethoven, both famously known as deaf composers.

As leader of such a diverse campus, Principal Muzyka said he strives to incorporate cultural celebrations — including deaf awareness — with all students and the surrounding school community.

“We have incredible kids and we love coming to school, and we’re proud of that,” he said.

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