Wisconsin School for the Deaf - The Wisconsin Times Vol. 136 No. 1 Fall 2014 | Page 7

David Hash joined WSD as an 8th grader and flies to
school every week leaving his family at home in Hawkins,
east of Ladysmith. David says the dorm is “OK” and the
food is better than at his old school. His favorite class is
math, and Mr. Brian Lievens and Mr. Matt Palma are his
favorite teachers. Asked what he missed most about his
old school, David says he misses passing his brother in the
hallways. David also has three sisters, a dog, and four fish
at home. He has made several new friends here already. He
likes to draw. We are glad you like it at WSD David.
Brianna Henke joined WSD as an 8th grader and celebrated her 14th birthday in September. Asked how she likes
her new school, Brianna says she likes that everyone is
the same, Deaf or hard of hearing. It makes for smoother
communication. Although she does miss her old friends,
her parents, her sister, and her ‘BFF’ Katie, she has made
new friends too. She is enjoying the independence the dorm
allows. Brianna’s favorite classes are reading and writing.
We like you too, Brianna!
Desiree
West

Marinna
Lampson

Brianna Henke

David Hash

Marinna Lampson joins WSD as a 6th grader. She celebrated her 12th birthday in November. She comes to WSD
from way up north in Washburn, Wisconsin. Asked what
she liked best about WSD in these first few weeks, Marinna
said, “Everything!” She has a roommate, has made several friends and plays volleyball. She does miss her mom
and dad (cat, guinea pigs and fish too), but is happy with
her new surroundings. So far, science is her favorite class.
Marinna says everything at WSD so far is, “pretty cool”.

Desiree West is 15, and an 8th grader from Kewaskum, Wisconsin.
Desiree said she liked the warm and welcoming feeling WSD gave
her, especially when she joined the middle school volleyball team because she did not have much confidence, but the team convinced her
to join. She hopes to make the basketball team too. Asked what she
misses most about home, she says she misses the family time, even
though it is usually busy with four girls in the house. Desiree enjoys
physical education, but not the football unit. She also likes to write
and she likes all the teachers. She noted that since all the students at
WSD are Deaf or hard of hearing, the language barriers are gone and
she is learning about Deaf culture. We are glad to have you Desiree!

Seneca Barnes is 14, a freshman, and comes to us
from Green Bay. He plays football for WSD. His family includes his parents, three sisters, and a dog. He is
adjusting to the classes, the new faces, the dorm, and
all the people who communicate using ASL. He plans
to play basketball this winter and is considering track
and field in the spring. His favorite class is physical
education. He is also learning to ‘grin and bear’ the
long bus rides on homegoing days as well as the rides
to away football games. Welcome!

LEFT:
Seneca
Barnes
RIGHT
Emma
Menzel

Emma Menzel joins WSD as a senior from Kewauskum. She has a younger brother at home with her mom and dad.
Emma says, “WSD classes are more accessible for me than classes at my old school. Here, everyone signs and no
information is lost, or confused. With the use of ASL here, I have immediate access to the information, along with my
peers, who all sign too.” Her favorite subjects are literature and ASL. She looks forward to advanced placement statistics,
which she will take at Delavan Darien High School across the street. She has joined the volleyball team and plans to join
basketball and track and field as well. She chose to have a roommate in the dorm. Emma met Teresa at the Teen Getaway
Weekend where they became best buds. Emma hopes to go to either a University of Wisconsin school or Gallaudet next
Fall 2014 - 7
year. Good Luck Emma!