Miss Deaf Ohio News

Hello my Ohioan folks!

It has been a while for me to post up my news. I would like to share with you my experience at MDAP, Miss Deaf America Pageant. It was hosted in Palm Springs, California on June 23 to July 3, 2006.  I can not begin to explain to you how this experience enriched my life and how much I have learned from myself and the 26 other pageant girls.

            My chaperone was Susan Bachtel. She, my State Pageant Director, Bob Donaldson, and I had worked closely for many months while I was in Washington, DC for pursuing my education at Gallaudet University and when I went home after my Spring Semester was finished. On June 23, I ALMOST missed my flight because of very long line in front of security. I had to run with my heavy book bag to meet Susan Bachtel. We flew from Port Columbus Airport in the early morning to Phoenix, Arizona to change our flight heading to Ontario California to meet the rest of the ladies. We stayed at California School for the Deaf in Riverside for a week because it was our retreat week prior to the start of the Miss Deaf America Pageant activities. We practiced our talents and platform speeches. We took many workshops such as how to take care of our skin (it was a lot of fun!), ice breakers (not for the heat, but to meet new friends), and work with our groups. The pageant girls were divided into three groups called Mu, Delta, and Alpha. I was in Mu group. We went to Disneyland as our surprise trip! I had so much fun with Miss Deaf Tennessee, Miss Deaf Oklahoma, and many more. We had our inside jokes about many things we experienced. On July 2, 2006, during the final Pageant night, I won the Miss Congeniality Award that was voted on by all 26 girls. I was very surprised when the Mistress of Ceremony announced, “Miss Deaf Ohio.” Today, I am still talking with some of the girls whom I met at MDAP.

            If you wonder what my talent and platform were, my talent was Broadway Jazz and called “I Am What I Am.” It was about me celebrating who I am, being proud of myself, and not changing to fit other people’s expectations. It was a combination of ASL signing and jazz dance. My platform speech was about diabetes and how it would impact the deaf community, especially children. I chose this because I am Type One Diabetic since I was very young.

            My time as Miss Deaf Ohio is coming up to the end. I would like to travel around Ohio as much as I can before my crown would go to the next wonderful Miss Deaf Ohio. I would like to thank my family and friends, my sponsors, the Ohio Deaf Association, Bob Donaldson – my very patient MDO Pageant Director, Linda Mahmoud – President of ODA, Susie Bechtel – my Chaperone, Phyllis Levi, and Darlene Zangara for their ongoing support, friendship, training, advice and just for being an integral part of my whole experience as Miss Deaf Ohio.   THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!  A special posthumous thank you goes to Josh Best for his friendship, love and support as I traveled last summer in Ohio and participated in MDAP.  I will remember those days always.

Ladies, if you are interested in running for Miss Deaf Ohio 2007-2009. GO FOR IT!! I enjoyed my time as Miss Deaf Ohio, including going to MDAP. You would develop a great, rich experience. It will help you on improving your leadership skills and make great memories and friends for the rest of your lives. I couldn’t ask for better out of my pageant experience.  

                                                Your lovely Miss Deaf Ohio,

Teresa Gasaway