TROJAN TALK OH,THE DAYS OF SUMMER...

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1 TROJAN TALK VOLUME VII, Issue 1 August/September 2017 Inside this issue: Solar Eclipse 2 Lions Camp Participants Drumline Presentation 2 3 Sportsline 3 LSVI Welcomes New Students Student Government Elections Students of the Month & WAYNES OH,THE DAYS OF SUMMER... Summer -the time to kick back, carpool kids to camps and other activities, go to the beach, read all of the books you ve been meaning to As with other summers, LSVI provided times for remediation and new adventures with the summer camp programs. Swimming, computer skills, riding trains, grocery shopping, learning health tips, brushing up on reading skills, and cooking for the closing of the summer camp were some of the many activities. Two students were sponsored by a local Lions Club group (see p. 2) to attend camp in central Louisiana for a camp just for students of visually impairment. Another student used her summer to advance her studies by taking online classes. Senior, Chloe Ashford, participated in the national braille challenge contest in Los Angeles, California in June and also placed first in the national writing contest sponsored by National Federation for the Blind this summer. (see p.4) When teachers returned to the campus for the new school year s orientation, there were new teachers and administrative changes. New teachers were Regan Wild with Pre-K, Kelson Swancy with fourth grade, Ganetta Savoy with middle and high school science, and Denise Clause as the school s substitute. Administrative changes were director, Mrs. Leslie Bello, principal, Mrs. Melanie Eaton, and administrative intern, Mrs. Brandy Washington. On August 2nd, Mr. Ralph Thibodeaux welcomed the faculty and staff of the LSDVI campus by reminding them that their classrooms were their canvas this year and what we paint within them would benefit our students in ways we may never know. Let the year begin! LSDVI Superintendent speaks to the LSDVI faculty and staff on August 2nd. Mrs. Leslie Bello, Director Mrs. Melanie Eaton, Principal Mrs. Brandy Washington, Administrative Intern

2 TROJAN TALK Page 2 On August 21st, everyone across the United States donned special eyewear to view the solar eclipse that crossed our country west to east. As stated by LSVI s director, Leslie Bello to Channel 33 News: Our students should be able to view the eclipse just as other students. They just do it in a different manner. SOLAR ECLIPSE SIGHTED Joe Brock and a reporter from Local 33 News, follow the tactile pathway of the solar eclipse s progression across the U.S. on the world map. Alexia Jason does the Shadow Dance Troy Mosby moves the moon past the sun. It s a bird, it s a plane, no, it s a solar eclipse! Dainethia Brock, Dontay Penn, and Chris Holiday view the eclipse. <Mrs. Bishop helps place the proper eye wear on student. Right: Ms. Savoy helps Chloe Ashford feel the eclipse. >>>>>>> Mrs. Campos and Mrs. Karanja help students use tactile graphics of the event. Jesse Olson views the eclipse through a telescope from LSU. LIONS CAMP: SUMMER OF 2017 As with every year, the Baton Rouge Downtown Lion s Club sponsors LSVI students to attend the Lions summer camp held in central Louisiana. This year s recipients were DeMarcus Williams and Josiah Singleton. Both students said they had a great time! DeMarcus enjoyed all ball activities and swimming. Josiah said, This was my second year and I enjoyed meeting the new counselors, but also just liked everything about the camp. DeMarcus Williams (left ) and Josiah Singleton shown with Lions members and LSVI staff: (L to R): Betty Dupont, Anna Gayle, and David Eller. The Lions Club International has provided fifty-six years of summer camp experiences for students with various exceptionalities since 1961.

3 VOLUME VII, Issue 1 Page 3 RHYTHM OF WORDS by COG On June 8th in New Orleans, 5,000 teachers from all across the state of Louisiana were treated to the signs and sounds of the LSDVI drumline and poetry club. Led by Mike Durham of LSVI and Lisa Cook of LSD, seven members of the drumline and three of the poetry club of the respective schools presented a piece called, We, The Students written by LSD students. The performance was in appreciation of teachers of each grade level. The students were awarded by a standing ovation and accolades given by John White, State Superintendent for a job well done! On October 4th, for White Cane Day, this group will perform in downtown Baton Rouge s Town Square. When not performing in public venues, the LSVI music department holds practices for drumline and choir on Wednesday and Friday mornings, respectively, at 7: 15 a.m. Students who participate in the early morning practices, have to get up, eat breakfast in the dorms, and be ready to practice by 7:15. Mr. Mike pulls members of the band within the school s schedule during electives. With all of this happening, the band and drumline are working on a song to perform together. Entitled Power Line, which is an interactive piece that includes audience participation. With the extra hours of training, Mr. Mike hopes the choir will be able to participate with sighted peers in their first choir festival. View the LSDVI drumline and poetry club live performance on Local 33 news online at: local-news/lsdvi-studentsperform SPORTS LINE by Quick Nick Since the first day of school, students have been preparing for the upcoming wrestling, powerlifting, and track seasons by conditioning every day rain or shine! Students are tripling their efforts by training on the mat, the track, and in the physical education center (PEC). Coaches Jason Norris and Mr. Casey Cox, dorm activity coordinator, makes the team follow a regimented schedule. On Mondays, they work their legs with squats, lunges, high-knees, and line jumps. Tuesday is for conditioning at the track with activities such as pushing a 45- pound weight the width of the football field. Wednesdays is usually for bench press and upper body. Thursday, they run at the track with sprints, dashes and fiveminute jogs. Wrestling season begins in October so the team is excited about rolling out the mats. The Trojans need to get prepared to meet the Mississippi Tigers in November. Coach Jennifer Gaudet is working and training the girls for powerlifting and track. Just as the boys, the girls are conditioning in the school gym by doing calisthenics and weightlifting preparing for powerlifting, track, and cheerleading competitions. Chelsie Munson, middle school ELA teacher, cosponsors the cheerleaders. On September 28th, the annual Knights of Columbus Soccer Challenge occurred on campuses across the region. LSVI s competition was at 5:00 p.m. Seventeen students vied for first place. First through third graders cheering received medals! The winners in their age divisions were: 9-year-olds Briauna Frickey and Evan-Anthony Hoffman 10-year-olds: Evan Hack 11-year-olds: Akira Lasyone 12-year-olds: Alexis Jason 13-year-olds: Taylor Franks and Gavyn Comeaux 14-year-olds: Tyra Schanette and DeMarcus Williams Pre-K: Bella Braud Kindergarten: Addison Gremillion 7th grade: Clarence North 1st grade: Grosvin Garcia-Valenzuela 2nd grade: Tywian Thomas 4th grade: Kmauri Escort 9th grade: Allen Crosby 12th grade: Marlon Valenzuela 10th grade: Jesse Olson

4 STUDENT GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS AT LSVI After a week of campaigning on October 8th, a rally was sponsored by the student government club to allow the student body to hear speeches from all of the candidates running for offices that were vacated by the school year. Saundra Manuel, the school s history teacher and student government sponsor, was the emcee for the rally. Posters, flags, and patriotic decorations were present as the students entered the gym. Each candidate presented their carefully-prepared and practiced speeches. Many cheers and words of encouragement erupted from time to time as students voiced their support of various candidates. Following the rally, students voted for their favorite candidates during seventh hour. The term of service will be the school year. THE BALLOT WITH WINNERS NOTED PRESIDENT : Joseph Brock X Dontay Penn VICE-PRESDENT: Deven Kemnitz Nick Ricard Josiah Singleton X TREASURER: Trey Cunrod X Christy Grant MIDDLE SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE: Taylor Franks X Brandi Magee ELEMENTARY SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE: Briauna Frickey X Amar O Brien Gabby Pierce OCTOBER EVENTS: POETRY CORNER: UNTITLED by Chloe Ashford 4: White Cane Day 10: Picture Day 13 & 16 : Fall Break 19: College and Transition Fair 26: Fall Dance, School Gym 27: Academic Olympics UNTITLED Once upon a time, there was a death of health of soul and moral breath which left a cherub wingless, bereft, and I rose up from it. Once upon a time, there was a plague of fear and blame and simmering rage, which rent my story page from page, and I grew wild with it. Once upon a time, I learned to hide tearless, benumbed in a shell of pride alone, overwhelmed my well gone dry to TREY CUNROD for entering a drawing for the Governor s Office of Disability Affairs annual art contest. Notices of winners will be released October 13th. And I reveled in it. Then once upon a time, a wall broke down, a dam burst open and I tumbled out.

5 SEPTEMBER STUDENTS OF THE MONTH Dulce Maradiaga Espinal Elementary Joseph Brock High School Trey Cunrod Middle School Quincey Leftridge Alternate Track Look for articles written by Trojan Talk reporters Kloe Andrews, Chloe Ashford, Christy Grant, & Nick Ricard beginning in October s newsletter. view us on W.A.Y.N.E. AWARDS Wonderful Attitudes You Need Everyday Senior Joe WAYNE Brock It s always a good day for a sundae tea party. Clockwise: top left, Addison Gremillion, Right> Dulce Maradiaga Espinal, Bottom Right: Kason Gilbow. (the kindergarten class) Administrative Intern Brandy WAYNE Washington