Aarron Loggins
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Aarron Loggins is proud to be a member of National Black Deaf Advocates. He first became involved with NBDA when he took part in Collegiate Black Deaf Student Leadership Institute (CBDSLI) during the 2005 NBDA Conference. He was motivated to be involved in the Black Deaf community and help youth to realize that “education is the key to knowledge.” Since 2007, he serves as the Vice President of District of Columbia Area Black Deaf Advocates (DCABDA). Prior to this, he served as Peer Mentor for Youth Empowerment Summit (Y.E.S.) in summer 2007 and performed during the Miss NBDA pageants of 2005 and 2007. For NBDA’s upcoming conference this summer, he is serving as the Entertainment Coordinator. |
Loggins, who grew up in Illinois, became deaf at the age of 13 months. His parents were shocked at this discovery; however, his grandmother played a supportive role during this time by enrolling him in school at the age of 3. He began to learn sign language and did not speak until the age of seven. He grew up in a mainstream school setting and became the eighth grade graduation speaker at Dirksen Jr. High; this was no small feat, since he was selected out of hundreds of students. During his high school year, he received the Class of 2003 Committee Award three times. He was on the Step Team (United in Excellence), the purpose of which was to show that all humans are equal regardless of differences. He became Homecoming King (2003) and President of the Multicultural Leadership Coalition (MLC). Before graduating high school, his father took him on a tour of Virginia and Washington DC to help him decide which college to attend. After graduation, he left Illinois to move to Virginia, attending Gallaudet University where he studied Theatre Art Education.
>During his four years at Gallaudet, Loggins was involves in many different organizations and activities, some of which are listed below:
- Mr. BDSU King (2005
- Gallaudet Dance Company (2004-2006)
- Founder, Da JumpBack (2004-present)
- Step Afrika! (2006-2007)
- New Signer/Bridge Program (2006)
- Faculty, Staff, Student, and Alumni (FSSA) – Gallaudet Protest
- Student Body Government – Public Relations (2007)
- Academic Bowl (2007)
- Calibere Leadership Program (2007)
- Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. – Tri Sigma Chapters (2007)
- SBG Government Presidential Candidate (2007)
- Rockfest Committee (2008)
- Men Awareness Week (2008)
- Judicial Board (2008)
- National Anthem (Gallaudet Commencement, 2008).
His accomplishments on campus also include serving as a Math Tutor and Supervisor (2004-2007); Teacher Assistant (First Year Experience and Theater Arts Department); Dorm Assistant for Model Secondary School for the Deaf (2006-2008); and Camp Recruiter for National Leadership Literacy Camp (South Dakota, 2008).
In addition to performing at the NBDA Miss Black Deaf America pageants of 2005 and 2007, Loggins has many theater credits to his name. His first out-of-the-country performance was with the internationally known “Wild Zappers” in 2004 to perform “West Side Story” in Japan. He has served as a house manager over 3 shows, completed an internship as an Assistant General Manager, did a music video, and a host of other accomplishments. Loggins has received many awards and was honored by Provost Dr. Stephen Weiner and President Dr. Robert Davila during Gallaudet Award Day (2008).
What Aarron Loggins envisions for his future is to obtain a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree. He would like to teach at the university level and become a playwright. He loves God, family, theater, teaching, leadership, and community. His quote to live by is as follows:
“A dream is your vision to become a leader, not a follower.”
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