• 32nd Annual Deaf Tea-September 21, 2023
• Deaf Culture Festival September 30, 2023 Governor Baxter School for the Deaf, Mackworth Island

32nd Annual Deaf Tea-September 21, 2023

The 32nd Annual Deaf Culture Tea Awards celebration took place on September 21, 2023, from 2 PM to 4 PM! Approximately 80 people attended the Annual Tea at the Hall of Flags, State House, in Augusta. Governor Janet Mills addressed the celebration with a pre-recorded video and Commissioner Laura Fortman welcomed everyone at the event. A video recording of the 32nd Annual Deaf Culture Tea Awards ceremony is on the DDHHLD website, see it at https://www.maine.gov/rehab/dod/index.shtml.

Opening remarks from Governor Mills. Pictured: Governor Mills and Josh Seal, interpreter.

Welcoming remarks from Department of Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman. Pictured: Laura Fortman and Josh Seal, interpreter.

Dr. Karen Hopkins, keynote speaker and executive director of the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Governor Baxter School for the Deaf and the principal investigator of Maine's Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) grant.

The keynote speaker for the 32^nd Deaf Tea was Dr. Karen Hopkins. Dr. Hopkins is the Executive Director of the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Governor Baxter School for the Deaf and the principal investigator of Maine's Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant. She brings over 32 years of experience as a collaborative teacher of the Deaf, special educator, early interventionist, and educational administrator to her work with Deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Her work with families, coupled with her own personal experience as a Deaf adult and parent of a daughter who is hard of hearing have inspired her to create systems that empower families. Karen oversees early intervention and statewide educational programming for children who are Deaf or hard of hearing birth to age 22 throughout the state of Maine. She is active in many organizations and boards in Maine, the Hands and Voices Headquarters Board of Directors where she was recently named Board president and is involved with Family Centred Early Intervention (FCEI) programming including the Deaf Leadership International Alliance. Karen's recent research is focused on perspectives of family empowerment in early intervention systems for Deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Karen will be transitioning into the role of Executive Director of the Children’s Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf in December.

Dr. Karen Hopkins, keynote speaker

Awards were presented by Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Late Deafened co-chair, Lisette Bélanger and Commission members, Sitara Sheikh, Regan Thibodeau and Kevin Bohlin.

We would like to remind people they can start nominating for the 2024 Annual Deaf Culture Tea Awards as soon as now. Contact Nancy Winter at 207-623-7958 or E-mail: Nancy.A.Winter@maine.gov for details.

Annual Tea Award Recipients. Left to Right: Ronald W. Madore, Jr., Samantha Jones, Aboua Georges Blanchard Akafou, Amy Richardson, Tristen Evah Hellewell, Kellie Howe, John Howe, and Malvina Gregory.

Ronald W. Madore jr.

RONALD W. MADORE JR.

Clifton F. Rodgers Award

This award is presented to an individual who has worked with Deaf, hard-of-hearing and late- deafened individuals for many years. It is a "life-time achievement award." 

This award is named for Clifton F. Rodgers, a resident of Maine all his life. He attended the Maine School for a Deaf and lived in Belfast for over 30 years with his wife Dorothy. Cliff was a member of an Advisory Council for the Deaf and worked for the Division of Deafness. Quotes that describe him were "He made an indelible impression on everyone he came in contact with, for his style always created goodwill and warm feelings"; "His knowledge of Maine and its Deaf Culture was immense"; and "He passed through this world making it a better place."

Ronald Madore is involved with Governor Baxter School for the Deaf (GBSD) as an alumnus, Maine Catholic Deaf Association, preserving and continuing GBSD’s legacy with the GBSD museum, operating the Deaf Senior Citizens programs, collaborating with the Maine Association of the Deaf and checks in on older Deaf community members on a regular basis.

Ronald is a gentleman that has always had a strong presence among the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community—whether you know him or not; he is the Deaf grandfather that many Deaf community members never had by being very welcoming and sharing his wealth of knowledge of Maine’s Deaf history—he is just simply irreplaceable.

Samantha Jones

SAMANTHA JONES

Citizenship Youth Award

This award is given to a student who is a leader in school and the Deaf community.

Samantha Jones is an amazing person and a recent graduate of Maine Educational Center for the Deaf/Portland High School (MECDHH/PHS). Samantha blossomed throughout high school and increased her identity, she learned how to advocate for herself, and became a member of the Deaf/hard-of-hearing community! She is currently a first-year student at Eastern Maine Community College’s welding program. She is a role model to many people, especially in a field where most are men. She will do amazing things and will shine in whatever she plans to do!  

Tristen Evah Hellewell

TRISTEN EVAH HELLEWELL

Dr. Toni Rees Interpreter Award

This award is given to an American Sign Language interpreter who deserves recognition for outstanding service in a professional and voluntary capacity to their communities.    

Tristen Evah Hellewell is being recognized for their outstanding services in a professional and volunteer capacity in the Deaf, hard-of-hearing and interpreting communities. Evah holds incredible values and demonstrates willingness to give back. Evah was also involved in social justice activities, Maine Deaf Culture Festival, American Sign Language Immersion Weekend, interpreting organizations, Maine Association of the Deaf (MeAD) and currently with Maine Sign Language Interpreting Committee (MeSLIC, formerly named MERID). Evah is always advocating for equal access. Maine is fortunate to have Evah be a part of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing and interpreting communities!  

Malvina Gregory.

Pictured left to right: Sitara Sheikh, Malvina Gregory, Josh Seal, and Lisette Bélanger

MALVINA GREGORY

Special Commendation Award

This award is given to an individual, an agency or business whose activities in and with the Deaf community deserves recognition.

Malvina Gregory is the Director of Interpreter and Cross-Cultural Services at Maine Medical Center. Some members so the Deaf community got to know her through the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Patient Family Advisory Committee. She went above and beyond in her current role coordinating/scheduling interpreters by providing resources and educating front desk staff members and medical providers about working with in-person interpreters and using Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) devices. Also, Malvina would check to assure that all offices have their working VRI devices in place and be familiarized with how to use the device in all offices, in and out of hospital sites.

Malvina is passionate and provides genuine care for all patients from all various backgrounds.  She gets involved in Deaf Culture Festival events every year along with another advocate, Dick Taub.  She also values diversity, equity, and inclusion in her work.

Kellie and John Howe

KELLIE AND JOHN HOWE

Promoting American Sign Language, Deaf Culture, and Deaf People Award

This award is given to a person who worked to improve Maine’s Deaf community through leadership by promoting American Sign Language, Deaf Culture or Deaf People.  

John and Kellie are known for hosting yearly BBQs and running various Deaf clubs and Deaf organizations. Their flexibility and energy to pitch in and take on various roles is really something the Deaf community appreciates!

Amy Leone Richardson

AMY LEONE RICHARDSON

Promoting American Sign Language, Deaf Culture, and Deaf People Award

This award is given to a person who worked to improve Maine’s Deaf community through leadership by promoting American Sign Language, Deaf Culture or Deaf People.

Amy promotes diversity awareness inside and outside of work as an interpreter and a direct care staff person. Amy is also a skilled teacher of American Sign Language (ASL) at University of Southern Maine (USM).

Aboua Georges Blanchard Akafou

ABOUA GEORGES BLANCHARD AKAFOU

Ginny Hewes Advocate for the Needs of the Deaf Community Award

This award is given to a person or organization that advocates for the needs of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing persons in Maine.

Aboua Georges Blanchard Akafou was an advocate for Deaf people in his home country, the Ivory Coast. However, he had to flee to save his own life, leaving his wife and a young daughter. Being an immigrant knowing only French and his home country sign language, he managed to survive and experienced obstacles. Blanchard found ways to navigate life in the United States with patience and resilience and in turn helped other Deaf immigrants who moved to Maine. He  assisted other immigrants in working through the employment process, finding places to live and connected them with services and resources they needed including assisting them with getting driver's license tests. Blanchard is a very humble, passionate and an amazing individual.

FYI, his wife and daughter arrived in November 2022!  

Debra Bare-Rogers

DEBRA BARE-ROGERS

Outstanding Citizenship Award

This award is given to a person who is a leader in the Deaf community.

Debra is not only a leader, but an advocate and champion for access for Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals at home or in their professional lives through her involvement with Disability Rights Maine-Deaf Services, Maine Relay Service, Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, Telecommunication Relay Service and Association of Late-Deafened Adults.

Deaf Culture Festival September 30, 2023 Governor Baxter School for the Deaf, Mackworth Island

The DeafBlind Craftsman exhibit.

Two adults face painting two children

Two friends making the “I Love You” sign at the Mackworth Island Preschool exhibit.

Mural painting consisting of Percival P. Baxter, Patricia (Patty) Brennan, James Richard Levier, John Brewster, Jr., Mackworth Island hiking trail, child with bird, Casco Bay, Mackworth Island, Stevens Avenue, Native Americans, eagle, fish, turkeys, entrance booth to the island, flowers, mansion, water tower, trees, dogs, GBSD sea gull, and a raccoon

Three friends at a exhibit table.

People visiting exhibit tables.

Two friends at the Disability Rights Maine Deaf Advocacy and Communication Access exhibit.

Adult face painting a child.

The Department of Labor is an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available to individuals with disabilities upon request.