Archive for the ‘Slam News’ Category

How I Got Hear: Grecia’s Story

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009, 10:15 AM By Kayla

After a late night at her cousins wedding, Grecia Ramirez departed from her home in Metro-Atlanta to the airport to catch a flight to Maryland. Although she was tired from her previous nights exploits, she was excited to be on her way.

After several wrong turns, her mom got them to their destination. Everything went smoothly until she had boarded the plane. upon reaching her seat, she encountered a passenger who was rather upset, because Grecia had unknowingly taken the woman’s seat. The woman was rather upset about the whole arrangement, but calmed down after awhile. Despite this ordeal Grecia’s flight went fairly well.

Grecia met up with some friends after disembarking. She and her friends took a bus from the airport to College Park Maryland. She enjoyed talking with her friends on the bus ride, and intends to enjoy herself immensely at this years Youth Slam!

How I Got Here: Tarik’s Story

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009, 10:13 AM By Denzel

Hey fellow Youth slammers, its me, The Prince of Maryland. I had the opportunity to interview Tarik Suber, (my room mate everyone), a young man from Atlanta, Georgia.

He awoke Sunday, July 26, wondering, “Oh dear, what am I getting myself into!” Tarik is a first time Slammer (I’m proud of him). Tarik got here by plane; he arrived to BWI airport in Maryland, waited for the bus for the Youth slam, and now is having fun. So thanks Tarikand everyone. Stay tuned for my next piece.

My Mentor’s Story: Harriet

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009, 09:37 AM By Tarik

Q: Where are you from?
A: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Q: Why did you want to become a mentor?
A: I wanted to become a mentor because I believe in the potential of the blind youth and wanted to be apart of that exciting experience during the youth slam.

Q: What is your visual impairment?
A: Blind since birth.

Q: What is your profession?
A: Elementary school teacher – kindergarten 1st grade and 2nd grade.

Q: How far do you think the blind youth will go?
A: As far as their talents, potentials and imagination will go.

Q: was this a good interview?,
A: Yes, it was a very good interview.

25 Interesting Things About Me

Monday, July 27th, 2009, 09:07 PM By Olaedo

1. I have a passion for reading.
2. I love sushi.
3. I have a weakness for sweets, especially chocolate.
4. I’m not very good at Algebra.
5. I love to write.
6. I don’t like spicy things.
7. I love to use computers.
8. I’m in the color guard.
9. I love pop, hip hop, rap, and Christian music.
10. I really like Starbucks, especially the frappaccinos.
11. I was born in Edison, New Jersey.
12. I’m the only girl in the family and the middle child.
13. I thought that my older brother didn’t want me (he tried to give me a house cleaning project to drink).
14. I have an immense fear of flying.
15. I hate guns and the darkness.
16. I still don’t have my license.
17. I went through a difficult time in middle school.
18. I cried a lot when I was younger.
19. I also like going to Coldstone.
20. I can be a pack rat and keep things clean one day, messy the next.
21. I tend to spend a lot of time on the Internet.
22. I still collect teddy bears and stuffed bunnies.
23. My favorite color is pink.
24. I would love to ice skate.
25. I also have Asperger’s Syndrome.

Getting to Know me: Interview with Olaedo

Monday, July 27th, 2009, 09:00 PM By Tamas

Q: What is your name?
A: Olaedo Ajoku

 

Q: Where were you born?
A: Edison New Jersey

 

Q: How did you find out about Youth Slam?
A: My mom and vision teacher told me about the program this year.

 

Q: Were you excited when you were told the details of Youth Slam?
A: A little. I was a bit upset about it being the same week as my band camp. I also do not like flying. My feelings changed however when I heard more about the program.

 

Q: Which state do you live in now?
A: Georgia

 

Q: How was your flight to Baltimore? Any layovers?
A: It was an hour and twenty five minutes long. I had a direct flight.

 

Q: How have you liked Youth slam so far?
A: It’s cool! I really enjoy meeting new people here.

 

Q: Which dorm are you staying at?
A: prince george, hufflepuff

 

Q: Is there anything you’re looking forward to in particular?
A: I’m looking forward to more activities including riding the mechanical bull, going to the Jernigan institute and . . . And Rec x night!

First Dayy

Monday, July 27th, 2009, 08:53 PM By grecia

The first day of Youth Slam was both a surprise and a blast. From seeing old friends to meeting my new team, there was never a dull moment. My mentor, Harriet Go, began referring to me as Miss Popularity, to which I responded by telling her that seeing as I had been to the last Youth Slam in 2007, and because my state of Georgia had the most attendees, I knew more people than most.
That day was spent getting to know our teams, eating dinner, and hearing some thrilling welcome speeches by several notable NFB members including Mr. Mark Riccobono, Ms. Karen Zaknini, and the NABS president, Arielle Silverman. All of them were thrilled that the moments defining the Youth Slam had finally arrived.
After the welcome meeting, we went back to our dorms to have meetings with our dorm captains, after which we were dismissed to our rooms for bedtime preparations.
Some of the funny and interesting moments were the state roll calls, where Georgia was the largest and loudest. Also, our dorms have a Harry Potter theme. For example, I reside in Prince George’s Dorm, which, for this week, became known as Hufflepuff.
So, as the first day drew to a close, most of us went to bed with anticipation on the brain and excitement in our hearts.

How I Got Here: Tomy’s Story

Monday, July 27th, 2009, 08:46 PM By Olaedo

Tomy Geczy was originally born in Hungary, a

country in Asia, but lives and comes from Ohio. He is fully blind and it is his first year at the NFB Youth Slam. Tomy learned about it from his mother, who e-mailed him the information. He stays at the Hartford dorm (Slytherin) and is also part of News

Slam. The event that Tomy is mostly looking forward

to is Extreme Rec night.

How Did I Get Here: Denzel’s Story

Monday, July 27th, 2009, 08:37 PM By Tarik

Denzel’s family drove him to Baltimore Washington International (BWI) airport from Baltimore where they live. 
The reason Denzel came to NFB Youth Slam is that he wanted to be with more blind and visually impaired people and also to represent his home state of Maryland.

25 Things About Me

Monday, July 27th, 2009, 08:30 PM By Kayla

1. I love to read.
2. I like Brussels sprouts.
3. I try to be optimistic.
4. When the seventh Harry Potter book came out, I read the whole book in a week and got a blister on my finger.
5. Sports put me to sleep.
6. I have two younger siblings.
7. My parents got divorced when I was seven.
8. I try not to judge people by my first impressions of them.
9. I would like to travel to every continent in my lifetime.
10. I love the color green because even though I can’t see it I associate it with the smell of evergreen trees.
11. My favorite subject in school is English.
12. I try to associate colors with smells or things that I can smell, hear, or touch.
13. The subject I hate is math.
14. One of the things I like about traveling is meeting new people.
15. I have a bad sense of direction.
16. When I am in unfamiliar areas I get lost often and ask for directions.
17. My favorite holiday is Christmas.
18. In middle school I participated in Marching Band.
19. I began using a cane when I was three.
20. My middle name, Britt, is my mom’s maiden name.
21. I want to teach English but I can’t spell.
22. I don’t like tomatoes, but I love ketchup.
23. I love classical music.
24. I want to do something that really matters with my life.
25. I used to be in Chorus before I transferred schools.

25 Fun Facts About Me

Monday, July 27th, 2009, 08:28 PM By Tarik

1. I have glaucoma.
2. I was born in Abu Dhabi.
3. I am black and Egyptian.
4. I love swimming and am training to be a life guard.
5. I wrestle folk style and Greco-Roman.
6. I love music and can play the drumset and bass.
7. I did a backflip on my bike and surprisingly didn’t break my neck.
8. I lived in DC.
9. I now live in Atlanta – GET ME OUTTA THERE!
10. I love horror movies.
11. I wanna get a boat license.
12. I tried to backflip an ATV – it didn’t go so well.
13. I have the best shot in the family.
14. I am about to get a job at Dixieland.
15. I am very stable.
16. I work on cars all the time.
17. I worked on my friend’s car for drag racing and we came in first place.
18. I know how to ride a motorcycle.
19. I once rode a banana boat.
20. I am the best Gears of War player ever.
21. I hate musicals.
22. I have horrible allergies.
23. I can play the saxophone.
24. I love slamball.
25. I enjoy deep sea fishing even though I nearly lost my finger.