The university's programs and services are specifically designed to accommodate deaf and hearing-impaired students. The Academic Bowl includes a series of quiz tournaments in which teams of high school students compete against each other in local, regional and national events, answering questions on a variety of subjects.

Although the four-member team from the Vancouver school didn't advance onto the national finals held in the nation's capitol, Dan-O and Kelly said they didn't mind.

"We lost our first game, sadly, but it was a good learning experience for us," Dan-O said during an interview, as he also signed to and interpreted for Kelly.

Dan-O and Kelly have been hearing impaired all their lives. Dan-O said he's had seven surgeries on the bones of his ears and grew up speaking orally and reading lips.

"About three years ago, I decided to move to the deaf school, learn ASL and, get involved," he said.

Kelly is experiencing her first year at the deaf school, previously attending Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma.

As she approached her senior year, Kelly said she realized she was behind in areas that would help her later in life.

"She was behind in schooling, in her deaf rights and didn't know a lot about the deaf support programs that are out there," Dan-O interpreted for his friend. "She went to school, to the deaf school so that when she graduates, she's ready."

Dan-O said the Academic Bowl was one of the reasons he decided to move from public school to the deaf school. He's taken part in the event since he started going there three years ago.

"They invited me in, and I was looking for somewhere to be accepted, somewhere to get involved," he said.

When he discovered Kelly's love of history, Dan-O suggested she take part in the academic event as well.

Kelly said although she had never tried such an activity, she was eager to try out the new experience.

It paid off when their team qualified to attend the tournament in Oklahoma.

"We got to meet some students who are truly gifted in their intelligence," Dan-O said.

There was a lot of chatting amongst the students, he added.

"Conversations that lasted forever," he said. "It was a lot of fun."

Each team played seven games. Then the top placers competed in the championship.

Kelly and Dan-O said they gained a lot from the experience, even though they didn't make it to the championship. They each said they benefited from learning to work as a team.

"You have people out there, when you can't do it or if you're feeling iffy, who will support you, they will help you," Dan-O said. "Maybe something will click in your mind or wake your brain up."

The four-member team determined they would have fun at the competition.

"We were very positive on getting up, shaking hands with the other team, supporting them, and they supported us," Dan-O said. "It's a relationship thing. We're not just thinking about ourselves only."

As a result, Dan-O and Kelly's team earned the Sportsmanship Award, taking home a plaque that will hang at the Vancouver school.

Both students will graduate in June. Kelly plans to study photography at Clark College. Dan-O also will go to the university with the goal of becoming a chief financial officer.

They said they would be interested in taking part in an academic bowl in college if they had the chance.

"I would love it," Dan-O said. "It really improves your intelligence. You study a lot. It helps you to be able to discuss things later. It helps you with general knowledge for jobs. It was life-changing."

http://www.tdn.com/lifestyles/article_999ca0aa-390a-11df-95a1-001cc4c03286.html