Schools

Groton Student, 14, Recognized In National Magazine For The Deaf (With Video)

West Side Middle School's Javon Lopez One Of Five "Kids With Character"

Javon Lopez has a profound hearing loss and does not know sign language.  But he has worked alongside his peers since kindergarten, and now as an eighth grader, has been recognized by a national program for the deaf.

Four other children in the country were also recognized as “Kids with Character” by the Clarke School for The Deaf Mainstreaming Program.

“He’s actually a miracle baby,” said his mother, Tricia Silvestri. Javon was born six weeks early, had heart surgery at two days old, and was discovered to have profound hearing loss as a toddler.

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“I just didn’t know what to do,” Silvestri said. “I was of course, worried about his future.”

But Javon worked with an audiologist at the Pequot Health Center for 12 years, was placed in a mainstream classroom in kindergarten, and learned alongside his peers. He wears hearing aids in both ears. His teacher wears a small microphone that transfers her speech directly into his hearing aids, much the way a broadcaster transfers speech to a radio audience.

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“His speech is phenomenal,” said Paula Bell, teacher of the deaf for Groton Public Schools. About 12 students, including Javon, receive her services or consulting.

Bell said she attended a conference this past fall to learn about the latest techniques for working with children with hearing loss, and afterward, a representative from the Clarke School called her.

The school, which has five campuses in various cities in the country, teaches children to listen and speak using oral and auditory methods. The philosophy is to maximize sound through hearing aids and implants, and have specially trained teachers and audiologists assist children rather than using sign language.

Bell said the school asked if there was a child who demonstrated a special character, and Javon immediately came to mind.

“I wrote about Javon’s unbelievably big heart and his compassion,” she said. “He is one of the most compassionate human beings that I’ve ever come across. If he knows that something is wrong, he zones in on that.  He’ll find out, is there anything I can do to help you?"

Javon hugged Bell and his mother after receiving the award Monday, and learning that he was one of five to be recognized.

“Wow,” he said.

“I can’t wait to frame it,” Silvestri said.


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