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My name is Jonelle Patrice Thames, former Miss Deaf Michigan 2005-2007. I was born in Detroit, Michigan. My family moved to Southfield, Michigan when I was 7 years old. I was born hearing and became deaf at the age of 8 months. I came from a wonderful deaf family of 4th generations. When I was a kid, I love to read books. Books were my best friends. I also love to play sports, such as basketball, soccer, and softball. I also loved to join the plays. I attended Bloomfield Hills schools all through high school. I graduated from Lahser High School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan in 2004. I was selected participant for Health Career opportunity Program at Gallaudet University in the summer of 2002. I also was selected participant for Lahser Communication Leadership Conference in 2002. I played basketball when I was freshman in high school. I was selected Vice President of Deaf Club in 2003-2004. I joined Deaf Drama Club for 4 years. I traveled different elementary schools, middle schools, and high school to perform children’s stories and other plays. I won some awards for the deaf drama club. I was awarded for the best actress in Wizard of Oz in the role of Dorothy. I attended National Technical Institute for the Deaf, majoring in Art and Computer Design and Performing of Arts. I joined Ebony Club (African, Jamaican club) and Hispanic Club, and NTID cheerleading squad. My hobbies are writing poems, reading, shopping, dancing, and acting. I love to help people and being a good role model for the youth that have desires to accomplish their goals. I have always dream to travel all over the world, explore the world, and help the deaf youth from different countries, I know I will some day. Miss Deaf Michigan Pageant on September 30, 2005, I competed against 13 gorgeous brilliant ladies. It was great experience and opportunity for me. I had a wonderful time with those 14 girls, we helped each other, shared our platforms and talents. I am thankful for these two wonderful directors who are Kenya Lowe and April Lindbergh. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be like this today. I won first runner up and best evening gown. We all were winners that night. I attended deaf events, meetings, and conferences representing the deaf community of Michigan. My experiences at National Association for the Deaf, NAD was absolutely wonderful. I met many wonderful and interesting people from different states at the retreat and NAD. The workshop at the retreat by Margo Cienik, Ann Billington Cassell, Patty Wolfangle, and Jennifer Yost Ortiz was incredibly amazing. I was inspired and impacted by these workshops and learned a lot from it. Experiences at the retreat are what I expected. It helped me to overcome my shyness, gain my experience and skills. It also helped me to discover myself and realize that I have so many potentials. I won an award for the best talent and did not make it to the top 6. I realized that winning and losing isn’t about everything, it is about wonderful benefits, experiences, and opportunities that you want to give the community for them to improve and offer what you have to offer for the world. I met many different people from different states at NAD Conference. I attended workshops and events. It was worth my benefits and gained my knowledge about deaf community issues and impacted by these workshops. The top 3 positive things about the Miss Deaf America pageant are their workshops; it really helped me a lot to become a stronger person and gained my self-esteem. The committee of Miss Deaf America Pageant, they are amazing and warm-hearted people. The first day I arrived at the retreat, they made me feel welcome and I was very comfortable to be around other people. I am very thankful to meet these wonderful people. The events at the Miss Deaf America Pageant, I had so much fun socializes with people, enjoyed ourselves in activities, and made new friends. There are so many memories that will never be forgotten and will always be in my heart for the rest of my life. My advice for someone who may be interested in obtaining my position in the future is just be yourself and believe in yourself. Be happy in your own skin. Give what is from your heart and what you want people to know and it is ok to make some mistakes, learn from it and do it better in the future. Change your negativity ways and focus on your potentials.
As God guides me in my life, I know I will be successful. I am aiming for a success and will never give up what I have always wanted to do. I believe that all of things are possible. I thank God for what I am and who I am today. I thank you all for all of your supports and I appreciate it!
Jonelle Thames,
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