BHSU standout says she's 'same as everyone'

Alyssa Goeden plans to teach American Sign Language in Omaha, Neb., after graduation.

| Saturday, May 10, 2008

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Sarah Beu, Journal staff

Alyssa Goeden will make the ceremonial walk this morning during Black Hills State University's graduation ceremony, but she won't hear the famous "Pomp and Circumstance" music that will accompany the graduates.

Goeden, who has been deaf since birth, will graduate with a degree in communication arts. One of three deaf students at BHSU, Goeden doesn't like being set apart from others.

"I want to be the same as everyone else." Goeden said through her interpreter, Linda Fletcher. "(Some people) thought I couldn't do it, couldn't go to college, but I showed them."

Goeden doesn't ever compare herself to others and wouldn't change anything about her life. To her, there isn't any reason why she should.

When Goeden was born, her mother, Kelly Renner, noticed that something was different. Her daughter wouldn't respond to music, a baby's rattle or the noise of a vacuum. Renner took Goeden to the doctor when she was four months old. The doctor said that nothing was wrong. Still not convinced, Renner took her daughter to Denver for a second opinion. After several days of tests, the doctor confirmed Renner's observations. Her daughter was deaf.

At 8 months old, Goeden was placed into a Rapid City School District program with a communications specialist to develop communication techniques. She later went to elementary school in classes with students who had normal hearing, but she struggled to keep up. After several months of meetings and deliberations, the family decided to send Goeden to Sioux Falls to attend South Dakota School for the Deaf.

For four months of her fourth-grade year, Goeden traveled to Sioux Falls weekly and returned on weekends. But no matter how great the facilities were in Sioux Falls, the school couldn't replace her family and friends who were in Rapid City.

She returned to Rapid to Canyon Lake Elementary School, then attended West and South middle schools. She began high school at Central but transferred to Jefferson Academy, where smaller classroom sizes allowed her to have more one-on-one contact with her teachers.

There, she met and worked with Carol Schwazenberger, who was "perfect and helped with everything," Goeden said.

Goeden graduated in 2003, but was unsure what she wanted to do after high school.

"I wasn't ready to go to college. I was really nervous, but my mom encouraged me, and I finally decided to go," Goeden said.

Being the only deaf student at the time at BHSU, Goeden frequented the disabilities services office.

Mike McNeil, disabilities services liaison at BHSU, said the disabilities office tries to treat all students alike, no matter their abilities.

"They're not getting a better grade; they learn like everyone else and learn the same things," he said.

Students with disabilities receive help from his office only after they take the initiative, he said. Accommodations are made after a student provides the office with a doctor's written explanation. Then, the student speaks with his or her professors, he said.

Goeden has worked with Fletcher, her interpreter, since coming to the school,

and she received assistance from tutors and others who took notes for her.

"The teachers are very flexible if you need help," Goeden said. She encourages others who face similar challenges to go to college.

After graduation, Goeden's plans include teaching American Sign Language at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, Neb. She hopes someday to be a graphic designer or maybe an interior designer.

"I'm very excited about going to Omaha," Goeden said. "I want to be more active with the deaf community."

If you go

What: 155th commencement ceremony, Black Hills State University

When: 10 a.m. Saturday, May 10

Where: Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center gymnasium at BHSU

Who: About 375 students

Commencement speaker: Sen. John Thune