The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind

Virginia Cane Quest 2025 is almost here! Cane Quest is a fun and challenging program designed to inspire Blind and Visually Impaired students in grades 3–12 to strengthen their Orientation & Mobility skills, boost confidence, and build true independence with their white cane.

📍 Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind
Wednesday, October 15 | 🕘 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Register at https://forms.gle/w1XRMpsd9ASgetWv7

Students will team up with sighted volunteers, put their skills to the test, and compete in groups from Scouts to Trailblazers.

Join us for a day of confidence, connection, and cane skills! #CaneQuest #OrientationAndMobility #Independence

Neil Sprouse, a 2009 VSDB graduate, is visiting on September 17 to present to current students in celebration of Deaf Awareness Month! Students will learn about how his experience at VSDB shaped his life and work for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students in Virginia, as well as the wonderful tradition of Deaf alumni from VSDB who have gone to work in the arts. We are grateful to Neil for "returning home" to VSDB while he is in town for a workshop at the American Shakespeare Center, starting with an ASL interpreted performance of “ Romeo and Juliet” on September 19th at 7:30 pm.

Our friends at the American Shakespeare Center are providing an ASL interpreted performance of Romeo and Juliet, featuring guest artist Neil Sprouse, a VSDB graduate and passionate Shakespeare lover. We hope you will join us for Shakespeare’s iconic story of passion, defiance, and connection that can’t be stopped.

📅 September 19, 2025 | 7:30 PM
📍 10 S Market St, Staunton, VA
Tickets available on the American Shakespeare Center website
For more information, please contact education@americanshakespearecenter.com

#AmericanShakespeareCenter #Shakespeare #InclusiveTheatre #InterpretedEvent

✨ VSDB EXCLUSIVE SCREENING: Moonlight on Water ✨
Join us for an inspiring evening celebrating Deaf talent and resilience!

When: Monday, 9/22 at 6:00 PM
Where: VSDB Healy Auditorium
Cost: FREE and open to the community!
See a powerful Deaf-led performance and journey of triumph.

Meet VSDB alum Michael Krysiewicz, who will be present in person! Victoria Covell will join via Zoom if possible.
Stick around afterward for a live Talkback & Q&A session.

Come experience Moonlight on Water — the inspiring story of a young ballerina who refuses to let hearing loss stop her dreams.

🎬 Featuring Deaf actress Victoria Covell (joining via Zoom if possible) and VSDB alum Michael Krysiewicz, who will be here in person for a post-film Talkback + Q&A!

📅 Monday, September 22 | 6:00 PM
📍 Healy Auditorium, VSDB
💲 Free & open to the community

Let’s pack the house and celebrate Deaf talent, storytelling, and the power of chasing your dreams! 💛 To help us plan for visitors to our campus and to ensure accessibility, please complete a brief registration form at http://bit.ly/46k3Mvp

#MoonlightOnWater #DeafTalent #VSDB #InclusiveCinema

⚡ Game Day! Back-to-action as VSDB takes on WVSDB at home. Bring the noise, bring the pride!
#GoDefenders #VSDBStrong

The games can be either live scored or live streamed via game changer by going to the teams page on the game changer app here: https://web.gc.com/teams/K3ghvbsE8tnp?utm_source=Web&utm_campaign=team_share_link

✊ The Defenders travel to take on Culpeper Home School. Let’s show our toughness on the road!
#DefendersStrong #VSDBAthletics

The games can be either live scored or live streamed via game changer by going to the teams page on the game changer app here:https://web.gc.com/teams/9gC4087SQw9d?utm_source=Web&utm_campaign=team_share_link

Calling all families, friends, and fans! You're invited to a special Deaf Awareness Day football game as Roanoke College hosts Gallaudet University!

When? Saturday, September 27 at 2:00 p.m.

Where?
Salem Stadium
1001 Roanoke Boulevard
Salem, VA 24153

Tickets: $11— Available online at gu.live/GU&Roanoke

A short program with featured speakers will take place during halftime. Please note: Salem Stadium enforces a clear bag policy.

For more information or inquiries, please contact Daphne Cox at daffy.cox@gmail.com.

Alumni Spotlight: Neil Sprouse, Class of 2009

Neil Sprouse’s journey into Shakespeare began at VSDB, where required readings of Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and Hamlet soon became a lifelong passion. Encouraged by teachers Rhonda Jennings-Arey, Heather Nicholson, and Rachel Bavister, Neil discovered the richness of Shakespeare’s world and the artistry of performance. A pivotal moment came in 2007, when the American Shakespeare Center, through Dr. Lindsey Snyder, visited VSDB. Neil vividly recalls playing Prince Escalus in Romeo and Juliet during a workshop—an experience that first planted the seeds of his theatre career.

That spark grew stronger in college, where he shifted from an English major to Theatre Arts under the mentorship of Ethan Sinnott. Neil went on to act in productions such as UnContented Love with Monique Holt, alongside future stars James Caverly and Sandra Mae Frank, and later contributed to a year-long translation project of Hamlet. His career path expanded further when he served as Director of Artistic Sign Language at the New York Shakespeare Festival’s production of Richard III, collaborating with Holt and working closely with acclaimed actor Danai Gurira.

For Neil, VSDB was more than a school—it was his foundation. He credits VSDB with teaching him identity, resilience, advocacy, and the courage to stand up for what is right, carrying forward the lessons of mentors like Mrs. Linda Blehm. Today, his love for literature, poetry, and advocacy continues to intertwine with his professional achievements. As Neil reflects, VSDB was his Alma Mater “in the truest sense—a mother who nurtured, shaped, and prepared me for the world beyond her walls.”

In what feels like a true “full circle” moment, he is returning to Staunton this month to co-facilitate a special ASL theatre workshop at the American Shakespeare Center, September 19–21. He’s thrilled for the opportunity to work with the community that started it all!

You can also catch an ASL-interpreted performance of Romeo and Juliet on September 19 at the American Shakespeare Center: https://americanshakespearecenter.com/

Photo credit: Amy Hechit, Tara Landing, Ethan Sinnott

🔥 Season Opener! Your Defenders take the field at home vs. Covington. Let’s pack the stands and cheer loud!
#DefendThisHouse #VSDBSoccer

The games can be either live scored or live streamed via game changer by going to the teams page on the game changer app here: https://web.gc.com/teams/K3ghvbsE8tnp?utm_source=Web&utm_campaign=team_share_link

Pals is back! 🎉 A virtual space for Virginia students who are deaf or hard of hearing to connect, build friendships & grow confidence. Don’t miss out—register by Sept. 15! Sign up by clicking here!

Questions? outreach@vsdb.k12.va.us

🏠 HOME OPENER! Come pack the gym and cheer on the Lady Defenders as we face Mt. Carmel Christian. Let’s make some noise, VSDB!
#HomeCourtAdvantage #DefendThisHouse

The games can be either live scored or live streamed via game changer by going to the teams page on the game changer app here:https://web.gc.com/teams/9gC4087SQw9d?utm_source=Web&utm_campaign=team_share_link

🏠 HOME OPENER! Come pack the gym and cheer on the Lady Defenders as we face Mt. Carmel Christian. Let’s make some noise, VSDB!
#HomeCourtAdvantage #DefendThisHouse

The games can be either live scored or live streamed via game changer by going to the teams page on the game changer app here:https://web.gc.com/teams/9gC4087SQw9d?utm_source=Web&utm_campaign=team_share_link

🔥 Back-to-back action! VSDB takes on Faith Christian away. Let’s bring the energy and start stacking up those wins!
#VSDBVolleyball #DefendersPride

The games can be either live scored or live streamed via game changer by going to the teams page on the game changer app here:https://web.gc.com/teams/9gC4087SQw9d?utm_source=Web&utm_campaign=team_share_link