Ohio Valley Voices
news & updates
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We look forward to seeing you tomorrow at the
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A one-of-a-kind musical celebration featuring games,
auctions, and much, much more to benefit the kids of OVV!
Saturday, February 12th 2022
Hilton Netherland Hotel
35 West 5th Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Cocktail Hour 6:00 PM
Dinner and Program 7:00 PM
Naked Karate Girls 9:00 PM
Attire is black tie optional and masks are
required except while eating and drinking.
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Order your Game
Bundle before the big
night and save!
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A Game Bundle will grant you access to
craps, blackjack, and all the other gala games.
Click below to buy yours now!
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And don't forget...
You can already bid on
Silent Auction items!
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Check out our online Silent Auction catalogue to
bid on all 50 amazing items including signed Bengals
memorabilia, bourbon bundles, and more.
Click below to start bidding!
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Every dollar raised at the
gala helps the kids of OVV
learn to listen and speak.
We'll see you there!
Visit the gala website for details!
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Alumni Spotlight – Shane DiGiovanna |
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Bright, social, and driven from a young age, Shane DiGiovanna was right at home at OVV. Even now, seventeen years after graduating, he looks back on his time in the program as one of the best experiences of his life.
“Our family feels happiness when we think of Shane’s time at OVV,” says his mother Patsy.
Shane was born in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1998. Because his birth hospital did not conduct newborn hearing screenings, it would be years before Patsy and Chuck DiGiovanna would discover that their son had hearing loss. At the time, their attention was turned to other, more pressing concerns.
“Shane was born with no skin on his left leg, and we quickly learned that he has a rare, genetic skin condition called Epidermolysis Bullosa,” Patsy recounts. “Shane is missing a protein in his skin that binds the layers together so any pressure or rubbing causes his skin to blister or tear off."
The DiGiovannas sought treatment for Shane's condition at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, and it was there that they first learned of his hearing loss... (read more)
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Have an impact now! Sign up to be an OVV monthly donor! |
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The kids of OVV aren't
letting the winter weather get in the way of learning—and fun!
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The toddler program started a new
theme this week: babies and bedtime!
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The EC is reading 'The Bear Snores On.'
They made a sleeping bear craft, started building
their names with bear paws, and made a bear snack.
Miss Lauren's group made crystal snowflakes, popsicle
stick penguins, and groundhog cookies.
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The DC started their new theme this week:
Community Helpers! They have all new trays
to go with their theme.
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The LC has started their Black History Month unit
in social students. They will learn about important historical figures. For math, the kindergarteners are learning different strategies to add and subtract to 5. The first and second
graders are analyzing and comparing what different representations communicate about a set of data.
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Give our kids fun and useful tools through OVV's Amazon Wishlist! |
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Staff Spotlight - Megan Stercula |
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“I always knew I wanted to work in a field where I could help others,” says Megan Stercula. As one of OVV’s longest-serving Listening and Spoken Language Providers, she has dedicated her life to doing just that.
Megan grew up in Carlisle, Ohio and attended the University of Cincinnati, majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders with the plan of becoming a speech pathologist. In college, she took American Sign Language classes and became interested in deaf culture, but it was only after getting hired at OVV as a Toddler Program Aide that she became acquainted with the oral education philosophy.
Describing her first impression of OVV’s program, Megan says, “I was immediately amazed with everything about Ohio Valley Voices—the young children who were born deaf learning to speak, the children who were getting ready to graduate and were having conversations just like their hearing peers, and the families who were so resilient and invested in their child’s hearing journey.”
Megan was so stirred by the OVV mission that she chose to pursue Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) as a career—a decision that required going back to school. Thankfully, Megan had the support of her OVV supervisors, Julie Sill and Carey Ratliff, to help her find the right graduate school... (read more)
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New Employee Announcement |
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OVV gives a warm welcome to
our newest team member!
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Jillian Shupert
Toddler and Extended Day Aide
Jill graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Technical and Applied Studies from the University of Cincinnati-Clermont College, where she also earned an associate degree in Applied Administration. During college, she worked as a dining unit server in a wellness community before taking time off to care for her elderly grandmother. Jill has volunteered at local non-profits Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Cares, and Appalachia Cares. In her spare time, she raises and trains Bernese Mountain Dogs for competition and enjoys reading, listening to music, and writing short stories.
Jill heard about Ohio Valley Voices after finishing college and applied to the organization in hopes of making a difference in the lives of children. She is so excited to be a member of the OVV team and to get to know her colleagues and students.
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Sign up for our newsletter to read the latest OVV announcements! |
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Special Thanks to These Partners: |
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Mr. Matt Barresi
Mr. Brian Lutz
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