St. Rita to celebrate 100 years at upcoming festival

St. Rita School for the Deaf will host its annual festival July 10-12, and it’s a special one, organizers say, as this year marks the school’s 100-year anniversary.
 
Proceeds from the festival — St. Rita’s largest fundraising event of the year — allow for financial aid and scholarships for children and families in need.
 
According to Angie Frith, the school’s associate executive director, parents oftentimes turn to St. Rita “disheartened due to their inability to openly communicate with or understand their children” and, as a result, kids are often frustrated.
 
Take “Joe,” for example, a student who began his education at St. Rita when he was 5.
 
“Joe is deaf, and his parents speak very little English, so he essentially had to start from scratch,” Frith says. “His first week at St. Rita was very difficult. Each day was met with a fit or outburst.”
 
But as he became more comfortable and was able to work with staff to develop his sign language, Frith says he began to flourish.
 
“By the end of the school year Joe could work independently and could comfortably express his wants and needs through signing,” Frith says. “Without the support of the community, St. Rita would not be able to provide the individualized education necessary for these children to succeed, but with the support of the community we can continue to change the lives of these children and their families for another 100 years.”

Do Good: 

• Support St. Rita School for the Deaf by attending the festival July 10-12. Admission is $2.  

• Purchase raffle tickets at the festival or in advance by calling the school at 513-771-7600 for your chance to win $25,000 in cash or a new vehicle. Tickets are $50 each or three for $100.

• If you can't make it to the festival, help the school by giving.