1 minute read

LETTER FROM LEVI MATHIS

Athletic Directors and Cheer Coaches across the Nation welcome to the 1st Annual National Deaf Cheer Competition!!

My name is Levi Mathis and I am the CoDirector and founder of this event which is called the National Deaf Cheer Competition (NDCC)

Advertisement

I am currently a Teacher, Coach, and Athletic Director for the Oklahoma School for the Deaf (OSD). My family is a multi-generational family of Teachers and I originally had no plans to become a teacher(no surprise that is exactly what I became!) After graduation from the University of Oklahoma, I struggled to find a career that I enjoyed. I worked to receive my teaching certification and applied to several schools in the southcentral area of Oklahoma After being turned down my father-in-law pointed me to an open position at the OSD. I applied even though I had no exposure to the Deaf community or Deaf education. I was hired and instantly fell in love with the school, students, programs, and ASL I love to learn so I could adapt quickly and I strongly believe that my family, the teachers in my life, and the coaches helped develop me for the position I currently hold I want to commend all of you for the countless hours and dedication you put into your students.

In the last several years of working with the programs at Oklahoma School for the Deaf and watching my daughter be heavily involved with competitive cheer, it was always disappointing to see our Cheer athletes only have a few competitions annually and not have the same recognition as the other programs under the National Deaf Interscholastic Athletic Association (NDIAA) It has been my passion to see my students have as many possible opportunities and recognition as possible!

After submitting the idea for the NDCC to the NDIAA board I was thrilled that Jennifer shared the same vision for this program! The ideas flew off the paper in the first meeting, and NDCC was born!! I hope NDCC becomes a staple event for the future leaders in the community and the recognition boosts students into their future

As Jennifer stated, we want to thank Indiana School for the Deaf for making it possible for us to host virtually from their school Also, kudos to our amazing committee and co-chairs, Peter Leccese and Zamica Gage, the judges, Rydrea Walker for his savvy live streaming and tech support, ISD Print Shop for making our t-shirts, ISD Woodworking for creating our awards, our private donors, interpreters, and Kalena Bumbala for all of her hard work on Public Relations

Schools - thank you for the investment in your students and the bright future ahead!!

Good luck to all!!

GO NDCC!!

Levi Mathis

This article is from: