The annual SWIS District Optimist "Communication Contest for Deaf and Hard of Hearing" (CCDHH) was held at Lake Lawn Resort in Delavan on Saturday, March 6, 2004.

The theme of this year's contest was "Thinking, Working, and Expecting the Best". This was a great theme for the student's to express how this topic has helped them work toward a goal or to reflect on the outcome of a certain experience. "Thinking, Working, and Expecting the Best" is a line out of the Optimist Creed. I think it is one that all of us can work toward wherever we are in our lives to help us still reach our dreams. As a teacher by profession, I am always thinking of ways to prepare lesson plans so my students will think and work toward the lesson objective. I always expect the best from them even if it doesn't always work out that

The judges were so pleased with all the speeches. I know they felt bad they could only name one winner. The winner, Catherine Eller, will be at the May conference to present her speech. I hope all of you are planning to attend since the Oratorical, Essay and CCDHH winners are the highlight of the luncheon.

It was also wonderful to have our Governor Joanne and Governor Elect Judy in attendance along with some very supporting Optimists. Thank you for coming, it is so important to support these programs and it means so much for the students to perform for a larger audience.

Thank you to the sponsoring clubs listed below. Without you this program would not be as successful.

I can not say enough about the sponsoring clubs but THANK YOU!

Susan Barbee, CCDHH Chair
414-633-0659
E-Mail: rabarbee@execpc.com

Ken Sprain