THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 18, 1995 TAG: 9506160212
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
Elton Roberson wore a cap, gown and his trademark smile on the day of his high school graduation Friday.
Ranked 19th in Ocean Lakes High School's first graduating class of about 130 seniors, Roberson received his diploma amid the customary fanfare of the graduation ceremony. Unlike his classmates, Roberson couldn't hear the celebratory sounds.
Born three months prematurely, Roberson weighed a mere 1 pound, 12 ounces at birth. He spent four months in the hospital. It was soon discovered that he had also suffered auditory nerve damage. Roberson has never been able to hear more than faint sounds and vibrations. He has filled out to 200-plus solid pounds in 18 years though.
``I started learning sign language in preschool,'' he said. ``It was my first language; English was my second. I've had trouble reading sometimes because of that. My mother has helped me and I use a dictionary.''
Sharon Carvalho was Roberson's resources teacher for three years; the last two at Salem High School.
``We do a lot of language skills work, independent living skills, vocabulary,'' said Carvalho, who majored in deaf education in college.
``I had an uncle and aunt who were deaf and that motivated me to teach hearing-impaired students.''
In his classes, Roberson relies on lip-reading, an interpreter and his quick mind. Even before Carvalho finished signing questions, Roberson seemed ready with an answer. He may have trouble hearing, but he has none understanding, either in academics or his life outside the classroom. He spent his 12 public-school years on the honor roll.
``My mother wanted me to go to public school and to be treated just like others, to be mainstreamed,'' he said. Roberson took speech therapy from the first grade until his junior year in high school.
Asked how he was accepted by other students, Roberson's face broke into an easy smile.
``I'm friendly with all people,'' said Roberson, the eldest child in a family of 10. At Ocean Lakes, he was a member of the chess club and the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America. He is active in his church, Ethel Star Holiness.
``Girls like me because I make them laugh,'' he said.
For his academic excellence, Roberson has been awarded two scholarships: a Hearst Merit stipend and a $500 Vocational-Technical award. Roberson will attend the National Technical Institute for the Deaf in Rochester, N.Y., in September. He would like to major in drafting or architectural technology.
``He's a positive role model for the other students. It would be great if we all had an attitude like Elton's,'' said Carvalho, as Roberson left the interview acting like he was wiping sweat from his brow, feigning relief that the ordeal was over.
Before he left, Roberson did make one request:
``Could I say how much my parents (Elton and Fay Roberson) have done to help me? I love my mom and dad and appreciate what they've done for me. My mother always taught me to be brave, to not be scared to go into the class and do my best.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
Elton Roberson, ranked 19th in Ocean Lakes High School's first
graduating class of about 130 seniors, was unable to hear the
fanfare of the graduation ceremony.
by CNB