2003 Deaf Academic Bowl

The trip was fun and all, but man I sure missed home!

University High School won the western regional Academic Bowl. Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind came in 2nd, so both teams get to go to the National competition in May. Wow this was such a great experience and I'm definitely GLAD I went.


My interpreter Jo and I arrived in Cheyenne just in time, and met up with the rest of the team. The other team players besides me were Dawn, John, and Matt. The coaches are Mandi and Tony. Jo was the 3rd coach, and was to take over in case Tony had to leave. Anyway, we went for lunch then headed to Colorado Springs. We made it to Colo. Springs and drove around trying to find the school. We managed to find it and checked in. Got out cards that served as our keys, passes, blah blah blah blah; Gallaudet Academic Bowl t-shirts, pens, room assignments and stuff like that.

The boys were in Jones Hall and the girls in Argo Hall. Jo stayed at a motel. Dawn and I were roommates. Mandi and the coach for the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind were room mates. Matt and John had to share a room with 5 other boys, and Tony shared with 3 other coaches.

We went out for dinner (Matt was about to talk to me when he pulled his card out of his pocket and spilled an entire tin of MINTS onto the floor, which he picked up HAHA!) then went to the gym. There I saw my friend that I practically grew up with, Will! We greeted each other and talked for a while. Then everyone went upstaird to the old gym. The coaches left for a meeting, and the students stayed in the gym to get to know each other and to do some activities. I didn't participate in some of the activities as I had hurt my wrist getting Jo's suitcase out of the back of the van at the motel! I may have sprained it, or even broke it a bit!

Next day, the first day of the competitions! We were given a tour of the campus so we knew where the 4 sites for the matches were and just so we knew our way around.

1st Match: Thursday; 1:30 PM, New Gym; Wyo vs. South Hills High School; 6-28
2nd Match: Thursday; 4:00 PM, Adams Building; Wyo vs. Madison High School; 32-30
3rd Match: Thursday; 7:45 PM, Lions Building; Wyo vs. Phoenix Day School for the Deaf; 29-35
4th Match: Friday; 2:00 PM, Gottleib Building; Wyo vs. California School for the Deaf, Freemont; 6-58
5th Match: Friday; 4:30 PM, Adams Building; Wyo vs. Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind; 17-19 (WE HAD A TIE AT THE END OF 3RD ROUND, 17-17, WENT THROUGH 16 QUESTIONS BEFORE ARIZONA WON)
6th Match: Saturday; 8:00 AM. Gottleib Building; Wyo vs. Spanaway Lake High School; 10-9
7th Match: Saturday; 10:30 AM, Adams Building; Wyo vs. University High School; 10-75

University High School won 1st place, Colorado School for the Deaf won 2nd place. Both teams are going to the national competition in May.


This was a great experience. Not only did I get to see THREE of my old friends, I also made new friends and really felt at ease in the deaf community.... I didn't feel left out or anything like that. It was just great. I'm definitely doing this again next year!

2004 competition will be held at Riverside, California School for the Deaf.
2005 competition will be held at Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind.