HOCKEY GAME FLYER OF MISS DEAF UTAH

Biography of Miss Deaf Utah.

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

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

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

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.

Andrea Vigil signing National Anthem from Andrea Anderson on Vimeo.

Recognition at House of Representatives

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

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"

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

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.