An All About Deaf Kids Fair is set for 1-4 p.m. Aug. 14 at the Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Conference Center, Clifton.

It will be a gathering where information is shared through a silent conversation, said Pam Eubanks, family ministry representative for the Deaf Institute in Cincinnati. She said this year's theme is "Making Memories."

"American Sign Language is one of the most-used languages in the United States," Eubanks said. "The Deaf Institute would like to see more families having fun using it."

She said the Cincinnati State Interpreter Training Program and a Summertime Kids Grant from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation help sponsor the event.

Bryan and Pam Eubanks with son Nathaniel. Pam Eubanks said "All About Deaf Kids" is an outgrowth of their experience as a family. This is the event's third year. The Enquirer/TONY JONES

Eubanks talked about her fears when they found out that their son, Nathaniel, was deaf.

"We had many fears. How would he ever learn to read? What would he be able to do in life? How would he function in school?" she said. "One of the most helpful things was meeting deaf adults and children, connecting with people who knew more about deafness than we did. One of the hardest things as a family was to attend community events and enjoy them together. Sometimes it was easier not to go than to make arrangements for an interpreter or to interpret ourselves."

She said from these experiences, "All About Deaf Kids," was born.

This is the third year for the event. Eubanks said the intent is to help families who have a child with hearing loss gain information and have fun making family memories.

She said the group wants to encourage family members to use sign language so that every member of the family has the advantage of communicating fully with one another.

"Even if the children don't need it for themselves, it broadens their skills at connecting with people who do," Eubanks said.

For more information, call the Deaf Institute, 471-2990 or 471-2996

Attending tech forum

Andrew Kling, 16, a junior at St. Xavier High School, will get a chance to learn about technology from leaders in the industry.

Andrew has been invited to attend the National Youth Leadership forum on Technology in San Jose, Calif., Monday through Aug. 4.

He is part of a group of 2,000 high school students from across the country who will have a chance to explore the technology industry.

During the 10-day forum, students will engage in group and independent projects, including workshops led by industry insiders, product demonstrations, campus visits and tech-commerce encounters.

Andrew is the son of Paul and Joyce Kling of Colerain Township.

"He is pretty excited about this," said his father. "He scored very highly on the PSAT and ACT tests and was nominated by his teacher for this forum."

Decorated for Iraqi service

Sgt. 1st Class Carl Johnson has been decorated with the Army Achievement Medal for participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is a petroleum and ammunition platoon superintendent assigned to the 501st Aviation Regiment, Baghdad International Airport.

The Roger Bacon High School graduate is the son of Sarah Hall and stepson of Eddie Hall of Kennedy Heights.

10 graduate basic training

These privates have graduated from Army basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.:

Lawrence Perry, a Woodward High School graduate and son of Janet Perry of Forest Park; Dan Knecht, Reading High School graduate; Ryan McDaniel, Anderson High School graduate and son of Debbie McDaniel and Dan McDaniel, both of Anderson Township; Jaime Solano, Finneytown High School graduate and son of Christine Schuster of Finneytown; Michael Flint, Lawrenceburg High School graduate and son of Alicia Morris of Colerain Township and stepson of Frank Baxter of Rising Sun; Scott Hoekstra, La Salle High School graduate and son of Mary Hoekstra of West Chester Township and Kim Hoekstra of Monfort Heights; Kathryn Carucci, Mason High School graduate and daughter of Joan and John Carucci of Mason; Sean Lynch, Colerain High School graduate and son of Thomas Lynch of White Oak; Michael Flint, the son of Alicia Morris of Colerain Township; and Alex Diener, Cincinnati Country Day School graduate and son of Miranda Fillipides of Madeira and Robert Diener of Santa Monica, Calif.

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