Brittany Comegna
Valedictorian
Class of 2007
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Brittany Comegna
Mass Media & Film Making Major
California State University, Northridge
I was a shy 9-year-old girl when I transferred to CSD from the Maryland School for the Deaf at Frederick. During my years at CSD, I adjusted to a completely new environment and lifestyle, skipped a grade, won the spelling bee in middle school, maintained a 4.0 grade point average, went on three international studies trips, attended the Youth Leadership Camp in Oregon, served as the Student Body Government secretary, became class president for a year, assisted in the re-establishment of the Peer Advisor program, was awarded with the regional award for the Optimist Club public speaking competition, played on the Academic Bowl team for a year, had the honor of being the associate editor-in-chief of the Belltower Yearbook, and closed my years at CSD by being the class valedictorian. My years at CSD cannot be measured in words. The opportunities and personal growth I attained at the school are far greater than some people gain in their entire lifetime |
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Andrew Phillips
Valedictorian
Class of 2001 |
Andrew Phillips
Law Student
UC Hastings College of the Law, San Francisco
I joined CSD as a sixth grader in the fall of 1994 and graduated in May 2001. My time at CSD was full of rich experiences and excellent learning opportunities. I had brilliant peers whom I found challenging and who were competitive in the classroom. My teachers were motivated and strived to create the best classroom environment. They, along with others at CSD, poured energy, sweat, and passion into the learning process. For example: during my senior year, two teachers kicked off the international studies program, while some of the other teachers were involved with activities like the academic bowl, and many of the teachers found ways to make our schoolwork creative and challenging.
I can honestly say that CSD was the best place for me. This was something I had to learn for myself. My sophomore year, I changed schools and attended Piedmont High, which is known for its tough academics and for sending students to the best colleges; I had been skeptical of the academics at CSD and whether it was the best "launching pad" for getting into top-tier colleges. I excelled at Piedmont High; I came to realize that CSD had prepared me well. I was able to perform at and beyond the levels of my hearing peers. I, of course, transferred back to CSD the following year, having learned that along with CSD's good academics, it was also the place I truly felt at home. It was a place I could communicate with everybody at ease, make life-long friends, and enjoy after-school activities without communication barriers —growing as a person while enjoying the rich experiences high school had to offer and being understood by the world around me. This was a place without barriers, where communication challenges did not exist. I could watch fellow peers having a conversation and feel free to join in. I could understand what one teacher was saying to another or what the football coach was yelling at his players. |
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Megan Matovich
Valedictorian
Class of 2003 |
Megan Matovich
Graduate Student majoring in Deaf Studies
Gallaudet University, Washington DC
I grew up knowing no other school than CSD; I started at CSD when I was 18 months old. During my life at CSD,
I worked hard and always tried to exceed expectations. I loved learning and participating in various events, such as storytelling competitions, cheerleading, drama (all four years in high school), Optimist Club speech competition, science fair, and Academic Bowl.
CSD offered opportunities for leadership, too. I served three years as class president, one year as student body government secretary, and one year as vice-president of SBG. My senior year, I had the honor of being the yearbook editor-in-chief and co-chair for the prom. In 2001, Blake Herbold and I competed as Mr. and Miss CSD at the Mr. and Miss Deaf Teen America competition. We went on to win the title!
I also have CSD to thank for my love of traveling. It was my sophomore year when international studies launched for the first time. During spring break of my sophomore, junior, and senior years, I was able to travel to England, France, Italy, China, and Costa Rica with the international studies class. I loved it and knew it was only the beginning for me.
I graduated in 2003 as the class valedictorian. The caring and supportive teachers and staff at CSD prepared me well for the next adventure in my life: Gallaudet University, here I come! |
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Jonathan Hall Kovacs
CSD Alumnus |
Jonathan Hall Kovacs
Entertainer & Founder
Rathskellar Performance Group
CSD have given me a sense of importance, not only in academics, but in leadership and character. I am here today proudly with my performace group who’s on a road tour in a huge bus becuase of my experience and growth at CSD during my high school years. |
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Melissa Jane "MJ" Kielbus
Valedictorian
Class of 2008 |
Melissa Jane "MJ" Kielbus
CSD Valedictorian 2008
CSD has been a wonderful experience for me, even if I've only been here for two years. To be honest, it feels like I've been here for ages, thanks to everyone for making me feel right at home. CSD is one of the best schools I've been to, (I think I have the right to say that since I've been to about eight schools) and I think everyone here should be thankful to be here, to be able to grab the opportunities that CSD has to offer to everyone. |
