Evening star., 1947-03-05
SCI Blind Youth Proving Ordinary Schools
By Ludy Werner

failed. After years Of schooling inl
the Maryland School for Blind andl
the Virginia School for Deaf andI
Blind, he decided last fan 1t wasl
time to begin learning how to get
along among people who could see.
so he entered George Washington
High School in Alexandra, where
he is now junior.
While agreeing that special train
ing is necessary for the blind tot
learn Braille, Richard says he
doesn't believe in forever 'puttingl
blind people off in schools by them
selves"
In the first place, he explains,
most schools for the blind are tool
small to offer wide variety of SUBJ
jects, and In his opinion the sooner
a blind person becomes used to as
sociating with normal people, the
better of he will be.
Last months mid.term report
cards, marking the end Of the fall
semester, proved he has become one
Of the best students at G. w. Rich
ard passed the semester with all AS.
Takes Notes in Braille.
This term Richard has classes inI
French, Latin, English and Biology.
He takes notes in most class PEE
RODS by punching large cardboard
sheets in the Braille system taught
at the blind schools, and uses these|
notes for review whenever a test isl
coming up.
A portable typewriter that hel
carries from class to class enables
Richard to take tests and examine
tions right along with other stu
dents. The teacher asks him the
questions orally and he beats out
the answers on the machine.
One problem of attending reg
ular public school was overcome
with the aid of the Library of Con-
gress. Through the libary Richard
has obtained some of his required
textbooks in Braille. They are so
large, however, that he carries only
a small section at a time. For ex-
ample, his Braille biology text Is in |
II volumes compared to the one
printed book other students use.
Richards mother reads to him
from printed textbooks that are not
available in Braille. Outside reading
required by some subjects usually
can be done through the talking
books" Of the Library of Congress.
His Cooperation Praised.
Edgar G. Pruet, principal of the
school, feels that Richard has been
a splendid" influence on other
students. Although he is believed to
be the only blind student ever to
enter q. w., teachers willingly have
made minor arrangements necessary
for teaching him because of his CO.
operative spirit, Mr.. Pruet explained.
Unlike many ALA students. Rich
ard doesn't restrict his activities at
school to studying. He sings tenor
with the schools Boys Glee Club
and often Is in demand to play the5
piano for school assembly programs.
Last Sunday Richard entertained
at an Alexandria YWCA musical
tea by playing the piano and sing
ing. His piano repertoire ranges
from current hits to the classics andt
he can play either by '"ear" or from
Braille notes.
II studied singing and piano at
both the Maryland and Virginia
blind schools" Richard explained.
The Virginia School for Deaf and
Blind is famous for its outstanding
a capella choirs.
Knows Other Instruments.
He also is familiar with other
musical instruments. When his 13-
year-old sister, Betty Holder, ap-
preached him in the high school
music room and asked him what he !
thought of her new flute. He held it |
in his hand second, then told her |
it was piccilo.
Richard feels he doesn't need a |
dog to guide him around. Betty or
some other student always is ready
to lead him from one class to an
other, or walk to the bus with him
when he goes home.
Like almost any high school
Junior. Richard likes to dance and
usually escorts some young coed |
to the frequent dances in the
schools gymnasium. A member of
the G. w. Pep Club, he can always
be found in the roofing section when
the schools football team is in
action.
Richard expects to graduate in
June. 1948, and it is his hope then
Ito go to the best college I can"
He plans to major in English-his
favorite subject-and minor in edu-
cation with a view to teaching Eng
lish and writing short stories and
novels.
A native Washingtonian, Richard
lives at 234 Evans lane, Lynnhaven,
Alexandria, with his parents, Mr..
and Mrs. Edward B. Holder.