Michelle Lapides crowned NAD Miss Deaf America 2008-2010
Transcript
Interview with Michelle Lapides
Amy: Congratulations, Michelle! You are now the new 2008 Miss Deaf America. How do you feel about receiving this special honor tonight?
Michelle: It’s a huge honor. How I feel right now… It all is surreal. Everything is surreal. I still wonder to myself: Is this real? Am I still dreaming? Wow. Amazing. This is a dream I’ve always wanted to accomplish since I was 3 years old. Now, here I am, and it came true. Wow. Explaining how I feel… just one word: surreal.
Amy: Let me tell you… it’s real. It’s not a dream. It’s real.
Michelle: Yes, my dream came true today.
Amy: Michelle, you’re now a new NAD youth leader. For the next two years, how can you bring more young leaders into NAD?
Michelle: I am proud to say that I am a new representative, a new leader for the NAD. So, how can I bring more leaders into NAD? By developing more media recognition, like vlogs for example. This will draw a lot of young people. One of today’s hot topics is Facebook, and this is a good networking opportunity. So, we should use it to our advantage. In doing so will attract young people eventually.
Amy: Wake up. This is reality. It’s all true.
Michelle Lapides of Maryland was coronated NAD Miss Deaf America 2008-2010 this evening. She will proudly wear the tiara for the next two years as she journeys across the country on behalf of the NAD to inspire young deaf leaders. The six finalists, from Washington, DC, Maryland, Nebraska, Texas, Missouri, provided an entertaining competition during the suspense-filled Finals. The first runner up was Katherine Murch, Miss Deaf Texas and the second runner up was JoAnn Benfield, Miss Deaf Missouri.
The platform presentations for all of the finalists covered deaf education. Each contestant provided different takes on the current system and provided several ideas on how to tackle this thorny problem. The current Miss Deaf Amercia, Chelsea Tobin performed her talent, “Dr. Seuss ASLized” as MDA for the last time.
During the “artistic expression” (formerly known as the talent competition), entertaining stories were shared. One contestant provided a lively dance and another taught the audience how to defend oneself from an attacker. Lapides performed a heartfelt story about a woman reminiscing about her loved one in an old black-and-white photo taken in 1945.
After elegantly gracing the stage with their evening gowns, the contestants answered the following questions, “Which reality show would you want to join?” and “What does the NAD Conference theme mean to you?”. The answers to the first question was entertaining, two chose the “Bachelorette”, two chose “Survivor”, one chose “Real World” and the final contestant chose “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”.
July 11th, 2008 at 6:51 am
Michelle…
Congralutation!!!
Your Successful will bring girls to look up and follow your leadership.
I proud of You…
I knew that your mom is so inspired!!
Your mom was so excited and talk about your coming ..
Miss Deaf America!
Now YOU MAKE IT!!
Wave our hands!!!
July 11th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Congratulations! I am looking forward to see young Deaf people join NAD!
July 11th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Congrats, Michelle Lapsides as the crowned Miss Deaf America, 2008-2010!
NAD must create Mr. Deaf America and M/Ms. Deaf America with transgender contestants if anyone interested!
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
RLMDEAF blog
July 11th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Congratulations to Michelle! Looking forward to seeing your accomplishments next two years. Amy - Awesome!!!
July 11th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Me surprise? No! I knew you would make it. smile! Congratulation from us with hugs. We (Maryland friends) are so proud of you and big wave hands to you. Hugs, Patricia and Sam xoxo
July 11th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Congratulations, Michelle in your winning as Miss Deaf America! I do hope that you will achieve bringing more young people into our membership in NAD. Best of luck!
Jea of Maryland
July 11th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Very great interview with Amy! by the way, I want to say CONGRAT to Michelle!
July 11th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Very thrilled to hear the exciting news!!! You looked so BEAUTIFUL!!! You truly shines!!! I’m all behind you and your family as well as NAD and, of course, our MDAD too!
July 11th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Our Shining Star, Michelle!
Its AWESOME seeing you with that DAZZLING & SPARKLING DIAMONDS on your head. BEAUTIFUL!
We are DELIGHTED that YOU are bringing home the CROWN you have always DREAMED for!
Michelle Lapides, Miss Deaf America 2008-10!
You are an INSPIRATION!
CONGRATULATIONS!
l,,l/ \l,,l
Your DEAREST Family!
~ McKAMELA ~
July 11th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Michelle
Every one here in Mass. is so proud of you.We all had faith in you and knew you would win
congradulations.You are beautiful with or without the crown.
Marie
July 12th, 2008 at 3:40 am
Congratulations, Michelle! I am so proud of you!!
July 12th, 2008 at 9:50 am
CONGRATULATIONS, Michelle Lapides for Miss Deaf America 2008-10!!! And CONGRATULATIONS the second runner up, JoAnn Benfield, Miss Deaf Missouri!!!
Big hugs!
July 13th, 2008 at 2:18 am
Why repeat ’surreal’ 3 times???
I don’t think alot of ppl viewing this vlog will understand what it means… Next time in ASL, please!!!
July 13th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
What a beautiful dream come true!
May you continue to inspire those to dream on.
Congratulations and best wishes for a successful two-year reign. I know you will represent us WELL!
July 13th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Congratulation Michelle, need more young people to follow their real dreams. Amy, what about Vlog of two other contestants, one from Texas and the other from Missouri? I think they also deserve everyone’s congratulations.
July 13th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
OPA!!! From a Greek Deaf guy to the newly crowned Miss Deaf America who is Greek. CONGRATULATIONS!!! Many years to you!
July 13th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
LOL at the comment above me.
Congratulations, Michelle. Good luck with your future endeavors!
July 14th, 2008 at 4:29 am
Michelle!!! I’m very proud of you! You were one of my first students when I started teaching way back in Kendall. I team-taught with Judy Pfau. WHen I saw your name, I gut-felt that I did know you. It took me a while (my age shows) to figure.. Then, I saw you signing. PAH! YES YES I know you!! I remember you very well when you were 4 years old and you loved reading books!!
Congratulations!! You made me proud of being one of your teachers. Hugs, Kim Symansky
July 14th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Michelle! This is such a great honor and success! You are such a long way from I Love Lucy– and you totally deserve this! Keep going with all your efforts and talents!
-Mandy Stenger (Warren)
July 14th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
CONGRATS MICHELLE
WE WATCH YOU GROWING UP DREAMING OF MISS DEAF AMERICA AND ITS FINALLY HERE FOR YOU
WE ARE PROUD OF YOU
July 15th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Michelle
Biggest Congrats…I can imagine how proud your grandmother is of you. (maybe more than I can decribe) When she paged me of your winning, I had goose pimples all over my body.
Good luck on your endeavors.
Fran
July 15th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Conratulations and Happy Birthday (7/14) we are proud of you and look forward to seeing you soon.
Love
Saba and Arlene
July 16th, 2008 at 2:36 am
CONGRATS MISS.DEAF MICHELLE AMERICA!!!
Stay true to your dream! Many years to come!
hugs!
July 20th, 2008 at 2:46 am
CONGRATS! Your family is very proud. My how you’ve grown into a wonderful young lady. All the best.
Southfield Passover Terp
July 20th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
YES!! YES!! YOU DID IT!!
We are soo HAPPY and PROUD of you, Michelle!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Hugs,
The Malcolm Family!!!
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:09 am
I just have to post a reply to this. Michelle, once again, congratulationsss! I feel honored to be your former roommate, haha! :-p
Again again, Mikkkkii, congratulations! You will make one best Miss Deaf America, seriously! I have faith in you.
July 26th, 2008 at 2:04 am
Congratulations, Michelle! I do agree with you that it is really AWESOME that your dream came true! Please enjoy your special year for representing our Deaf community! Thumbs up!