Miss Deaf Utah Ambassador

Farewell

2010-08-17T10:30:00.010-06:00

Many thanks and Farewell!

My term has come to an end as the service term for Miss Deaf Utah is one year.
I will be leaving to attend Gallaudet University in Washington DC this fall.

I loved being your Miss Deaf Utah. Before I became Miss Deaf Utah, I was just being myself, working and going on with my life as usual. But when I got involved with this MDUAP (Miss Deaf Utah Ambassador Program), competing and winning the title changed my life because it has allowed me to reach so many people from all walks of life. I learned so much from these people. I was able to expand my passion and work with deaf community. So many opportunities came up while I was Miss Deaf Utah and I learned many things that applied to my personal life and to the deaf community.

One of my favorite appearance as Miss Deaf Utah was the Miss Deaf Princess event, because of the young girls who were involved. They had the opportunity to experience being on the stage, sharing their talents, personalities and wearing their favorite dresses. It was so cute and I believe it was a good positive experience for the girls. During this event, I was able to share with the Utah deaf community my talent, platform, and my evening grown presentation. I was also able to get feedback from UAD board which helped me prepare for the Miss Deaf America pageant in Philadelphia, PA. The experience in Philadelphia will be unforgetable and a changing part of my life. It feels great to have confidence in myself and to know so many people believed in me as their representative for Utah.

I encourage all interested young women in our community to partipate and compete in the upcoming pageants. It can be very challenging to be the best you can as you showcase your intellect, talents, style, personality and passion. You also get to meet many wonderful people who share common interests and goals. You can make a difference!

I would also like to thank my mom, my family and friends for all the words of encouragement, support and donations they made to help with the Miss Deaf Ambassador program and my preparations for Miss Deaf America. And last, a huge thanks to MDUAP committee for their support and believing in me!

As this is my farewell and last blog as Miss Deaf Utah 2009-2010, I would like to end it with my favorite motto, "Live life loud and proud!!!"

Miss Deaf America Experience

2010-07-19T14:14:00.002-06:00

Good Luck from MDUAP Committee.

2010-06-28T17:06:00.007-06:00

As the State Director for Miss Deaf Utah Ambassadorship program, and on behalf of our MDUAP's committee, we wish you GOOD LUCK!

Andrea Vigil, you are an amazing person.

Pamela and I are so proud of you. You have accomplished so much as Miss Deaf Utah.

You are winner in our hearts! We believe in you.

Thank you for working so hard and making it this far! Have fun and enjoy yourself!

Andrea Anderson, State Director

Miss Deaf Utah Princess Flyer

2010-06-05T10:30:00.000-06:00

Update

2010-06-03T23:35:00.000-06:00

The days goes by and I'm sure you guys are wondering what I have been up to lately. I've been busy working on my platform and my talent to prepare to Miss Deaf America in July 2010! I'm feeling really excited, nervous, motivated and looking forward to that trip.

It will be located in Philly, Pennslyvania which is so cool and I'm looking forward to meet wonderful girls.

I'm thrilled this coming up event on June 5th is Miss Deaf Princess! It is going to be neat because I'll be special guest for the event.

Come support me and see what I will do for Miss Deaf America! Also come support the young girls that will perform at this event.

Keynote Speaker for a Disability Awareness Event

2010-06-03T23:27:00.001-06:00

I was invited to a Disability Awareness Event and had the opportunity to meet the Mayor Peter Corron there.

I gave a short speech about what my goal is for this summer and shared my experiences being deaf and how to approach deaf people with an interpreter.

There were some media people there and it was great. They took pictures of me with the Mayor and other presentators.

There were various booths with information about assistive technology that various people with disabilities use.
I felt welcome and really enjoyed my visit there. I also wanted to thank Sheryl for inviting me to this event.

Skyling High School Presentation

2010-04-22T11:03:00.008-06:00

I was invited to Skyline High to talk to students about why going to college is important, how to set goals, and how to handle peer pressure. I had the opportunity to get to know these wonderful students and they did a great job sharing their goals. I also gave them tips on how to accomplish their dreams. I would like to thank the teacher from USDB (Utah School for the Deaf and Blind) Kelli Aramaki who asked me to come and present to her class.

HOCKEY GAME FLYER OF MISS DEAF UTAH

2010-04-22T10:43:00.005-06:00

Biography of Miss Deaf Utah.

2010-04-19T16:40:00.001-06:00

Andrea was born on May 28, 1987 and was 2 months early via emergency C-section delivery. She only weighed 2 lbs and 4 oz and the doctors said she would not live. However after 8 blood transfusions, great hospital care and almost 8 weeks in the hospital, she survived! She was very tiny and at 4 pounds, came home on oxygen and heart monitors.

She participated in the Parent Infant Program throughout her infant development. When she was 18 months she was diagnosed as hearing impaired. At the age of two, she was wearing hearing aides and glasses due to poor vision. Andrea also had problems with her legs and could not walk. She wore leg braces for almost a year and was never expected to walk, but through many months of physical therapy at Primary Children’s Hospital, she did!

At age 7, Andrea was diagnosed with a tumor in her left eye which caused the removal of her left eye. She had such great support from her family, friends and her school, and with the help of the Moran Eye care Center who helped educated Andrea on her vision loss.

Andrea loved to dance at a young age and currently continues with her passion of dancing. Throughout her life she attended Camp Kostopulos every summer and loved camping and fishing. She learned to ski through the National ability Center and learned to swim at a very young age through the recreation centers. Andrea is currently employed with Sorenson Communication and has also attended Salt Lake Community College.

Her biggest challenges have been getting hearing persons to understand and accept her as a person and not as a disabled person. She wants to continue her education to be able to help others in the deaf community to receive the same opportunities to succeed in a hearing world. She believes that the hearing community involvement with the deaf community would give them a broader understanding of the needs of the deaf community.

As Miss Deaf Utah, she is a representative for the deaf community and will appear at many community events to support the deaf community in many various ways. She is going to compete in Miss Deaf America Ambassadorship Program in July 2010 in Philadelphia, PA, where she will meet deaf leaders and other state Ambassadors. Miss Deaf America is part of the National Association for the Deaf. She wants to be a positive role model for other young people to have the confidence to achieve all they can be as a person, not as a person with a “disability”.

Night at Grizzlie Hockey Game

2010-03-29T10:30:00.007-06:00

I had a GREAT time at Grizzlies Hockey Game. I had the opportunity to sign the National Anthem in sign language with my sister Reyna who sang that night. It was a great experience signing in front of tons of people. I got a lot of compliments about signing the National Anthem! Many of my family members and friends along with some deaf people came to the game to support me and they enjoyed the hockey game where Utah Grizzlies played against Backersfield Condors. It was a very exciting game! Afterward many deaf people and I went to skate on the ice and enjoyed the rest of the night.

UAD General Meeting March 20, 2010

2010-03-23T13:49:00.000-06:00

Melissa Mischo, the Miss Deaf Utah 1st Runner Up, and I, as Miss Deaf Utah, were invited to attend the UAD General Meeting. Melissa did a fabulous job doing the Pledge of Allegiance to begin the meeting. There were 20 people there at UAD Meeting to discuss various things. I had the opportunity to present my platform “ Y.E.S.” and it was well received. Some people gave feedback and advice about my platform which was great. Afterwards, we had supper which was delicious lasagna and other great foods. Eric Lynn and Gary Leavitt presented 2 skits as entertainment and it was nice being there. I wanted to thank UAD board for welcoming me there.

National Western Association Deaf Basketball 3/12/2010-3/13/2010

2010-03-23T13:47:00.007-06:00

Last Friday night I had the great opportunity to volunteer at the Miss Deaf Utah Ambassadorship Program booth for selling treats and snacks for NWADB and to support the basketball teams. It was a great experience seeing 13 teams from the western region come and play basketball for championship games. I really enjoyed meeting the teams and people there.

I signed the National Anthem before the boy’s basketball championship game and it went great. It was a lot of fun and I wanted to thank NWADB for supporting MDUAP. I had a great chance to see the NWADB and people involved. NWADB asked me to give out the awards for the team or individuals as they called out the names. Award for the Championship Men Team was given to California Beavers and an award was given to Utah for Women Team Championships. I also had the opportunity to get picture with each team or individual that received awards.

Andrea Vigil signing the National Anthem at North West Basketball Tournament, March 13th.

2010-03-21T20:23:00.002-06:00

Andrea Vigil signing National Anthem from Andrea Anderson on Vimeo.

Recognition at House of Representatives

2010-03-06T09:30:00.006-07:00

Here's a video of me while I received special recognition at House of Representatives and House of Senate.

Special Recognition by House of Representative and House of Senate

2010-03-01T14:13:00.016-07:00

Here are some pictures of me at the State Capitol! I felt welcomed and honored to represent the deaf community. I met important people and they congratulated me on my title as "Miss Deaf Utah."

Everyone in House of Representative and the House of Senate learned how to clap the deaf way which was so neat! In the other picture, I was watching the interpeter and smiling while Christine Johnson reads out my biography. (Pictures above)

This is in the house of Senate and the man behind me is the Senator. In the other picture, I am standing next to Christine Johnson, Representative of District of Twenty-five. (Pictures above)

I'm with Mayne whom is in the House of Senate and Johnson whom is in House of Representatives District Twenty-five. In the other picture with the big group, I met with Senate Ross Romero and board member of Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. It was very neat to meet all of these people. (Pictures above)

Event: "Healthy & Dating Relationships Workshop"

2010-02-24T14:56:00.010-07:00

I am so glad that I attended this workshop provided by Sego Lily Abused Center for the Deaf. This was at the deaf center in Taylorsville.

Educators were Sari Williams and Stephanie Mathis, I really enjoyed learning from them about how to build better relationships with people, families, and friends.

I also learned about domestic violence and learned about the "wrongs and rights" associated with domestic violence.
Everyone at this workshop was able to share their opinions, experiences, and advices. Many heartfelt thanks towards Sego Lily Abused Center for the Deaf for having Melissa Mischo, 1st Runner up and myself as Miss Deaf Utah a part of their workshop. It was a honor for us to be able to serve others, as we served this wonderful Bundt Cake, from nothing Bundt cake store. It was so yummy and fancy! We will be attending the next on in March on Self-Esteem. Friends and family are welcome!

Thanks again to Sego Lily Abused Center for the Deaf

Halloween Costume Party at the Ogden Eagles FOE on Oct 31st

2009-11-12T10:58:00.002-07:00

For Halloween, I attended this wonderful event that was hosted by my mother’s band called the “Grupo Illusion.”
I had great time at this event as I was able to share my life story.

Many of the people there made generous donations by buying some of the “I love you” homemade candies. A total of $300 was donated that night, so many thanks to all those who made contributions.

Everyone was dressed up and having a good time, I met so many wonderful new people.

Again, I want to thank all of my family members and friends for their wonderful support. I also would like to give big thanks to my mother for helping me with hosting this event and including their band “Grupo Illusion” as they did a great job performing. You can check out their website, www.grupoillsions.com.

Thank you from Miss Deaf Utah, Andrea Vigil.

Haunted Royality House on October 24th

2009-10-28T10:56:00.001-06:00

This haunted house was a big success!! Believe it or not? Over a $1,000 was raised. Many thanks to those who came!!

Being a part of the Haunted Royalty House was a lot fun, as the people involved were awesome! This was setup at the Sanderson Deaf Center. I enjoyed participating in the haunted house as I was one of volunteers, by dressing up as Miss Deaf Utah been abused by the 1st runner up. It was suppose to be funny and scary at the same time. I give many thanks to the Haunted Royalty House Committee and the chair Person Erin Kelly. Many thanks to Pamela, Carol, Andrea, and all these ASL students who came to help. Come next year!

Oct 17th. Appearance with Sego Lily Abused Center for the Deaf in St. George, Utah

2009-10-19T18:01:00.001-06:00

The overall experience was awesome, I felt very confidence speaking in front of these people since they were very friendly. I shared my lifestory and dicussed some of our goals for the deaf community. It was worthwhile making the trip down to St. George for this event. Also, this workshop was wonderful as I learned how to be a better role model and learned so much about Sego Lily Abused Center for the Deaf and the services they provide. I would love to educate others about their organization since it will benefit so many people. I loved visiting St. George as I got to see my friend Natisha and meet new friends.

Many thanks to SLCAD and Stephanie Mathis for giving me this opportunity!

State Director, Andrea Anderson, Sari Williams, Andrea Vigil, Natisha Luke, and Stephanie Mathis

Hard of Hearing and Deaf Festival at Sanderson Center

2009-10-19T17:55:00.001-06:00

Picture of me by the State Capitol Building

2009-10-19T17:37:00.000-06:00

I'm excited to be your new Miss Deaf Utah!

2009-09-30T17:39:00.004-06:00

“I joined the Miss Deaf Utah program because I have experienced teen pageants. Also, there were professional workshops provided by MDUAP that really helped me. I thought it would be a good experience to meet people, to show who I am and that I can represent Utah. My greatest challenge in competing came when I was in a bad car accident 3 days before the competition. I wanted to give up, but decided to stick with it and as a result, I became Miss Deaf Utah 1st runner-up and am now Miss Deaf Utah.” Currently I am working for Sorenson Communications in their marketing division doing Tele-education. I help train others on how to use Video Relay Services. I hope to go back to school, possibly in the field of Communication.
I look forward to serving the Deaf Community, and being a role model as I want to step up and share awareness on my platform, “Multi-ethnic to Deaf Community.” I'm grateful for giving me an opportunity to represent Utah community for the deaf and to make this experience positive in the future!