25 Years of Desert Voices
Desert Voices opened its doors in 1997 to provide an auditory-oral environment in which children with hearing loss can reach their full potential through listening and spoken language. Over the past 25 years, Desert Voices has helped more than 360 children develop their listening and spoken language skills to confidently mainstream with hearing peers.
Join us in celebrating this historic milestone year as we reflect on all the lives impacted over the past 25 years. We also turn our attention to the next 25 years of Desert Voices helping children with hearing loss reach their true potential.
Hear the Stories from Alumni and Friends
As part of our 25th Anniversary Celebration, we asked 25 alumni families to share their stories and experiences of attending Desert Voices. Check back throughout this school year as we share those stories below:
Kendall
Kendall attended Desert Voices from 2017 - 2020. She is now 7-years-old and has mainstreamed into 2nd grade. Kendall is involved in soccer and dance and she's consistently getting straight A's.
"Thank you for everything you did and what you taught me there." ~ Kendall
Ashley
Ashley attended Desert Voices from 2001 - 2005. She is now a nanny to two boys.
"The people we meet there [at Desert Voices] were there from the beginning and they will always be there... we always have that bond and we lean on each other so very much." ~ Ashley's mom, Dawn
Trinity
Trinity attended Desert Voices from 2017 to 2020. She is now 7 years old and loves to sing and dance!
"Thank you, Desert Voices, for everything you have done for me and what you continue to do for others." ~ Trinity
Nick
Attending Desert Voices from 2005 to 2009. Nick is now 18 years old! Nick has a love of guitar and is on his way to start trade school. Way to go Nick!
Windsor
Windsor attended Desert Voices from 2015 to 2018. She is now in second grade and she is thriving! On DV’s anniversary, Windsor shared many kind words about our team and her experience.
“The teachers really supported me. They were so kind. They were so thoughtful.” ~ Windsor
Adam
“The amazing combination of staff and teachers helped me to learn how to speak and listen to others.” -Adam
Meet Adam. He is a sophomore in high school, an honors student, an Eagle scout, a horse wrangler, AND a bilateral cochlear implant user. Adam is a Desert Voices alumni, attending in 2010 and 2011. You make DV proud, Adam!
Corbin
Corbin is a 15 year old bilateral cochlear implant user. Corbin attended Desert Voices from 2007 to 2011 and left DV to mainstream at the age of 3. Staff still have fond memories of him as a silly, playful, and hard working kid!
Griffin
Griffin was born with bilateral microtia and atresia. He attended Desert Voices from 9 months to 4 years old; he is now a freshman in high school! Thank you for the well wishes on our anniversary, Griffin!
Adrion
“I am a Desert Voices Alumni!” Yes, you are, Adrion!! Adrion attended DV from 2018 to 2021. We are so happy to see him thriving in his new school; he recently was appointed as a leader in his class!
Samantha
Born profoundly deaf, Samantha started programs at Desert Voices at 4 months old in 2008. Now, she is 14 and a freshman in high school with a love for softball!
Matthew
Matthew graduated when he was 5 years old, collecting knowledge, giving out smiles, and making friends along his way. Matthew is now a 6th grader, and he is the brother to our other recently featured alumna. Thanks for the well wishes, Matthew!
Rawlei
Rawlei attended Desert Voices from 2016 to 2021. She wears bilateral cochlear implants. She started our programs as a baby, and is now in elementary school, winning the Stellar Student award and she got to meet the mayor too! Wow!
Beau
Beau was known for his amazing stories and amazing style while attending Desert Voices from 2016-2020. Beau is now 8 years old and loves his school, friends, teachers! He wants to be a pilot when he grows up.
Morgan
“There’s just nothing better than Desert Voices!” Morgan attended Desert Voices from 2003-2005. She is now a student at Northern Arizona University studying social work.
Colt
Colt is an alumni who graduated Desert Voices in 2015, and is our 15th alumni spotlight! Colt was a big part of our annual charity golf tournament during his time here — a tournament we still do today! Colt is now in 7th grade and loves sports.
Addison
Meet Addison! Starting as a student in our toddler and preschool programs in 2005, she used her hearing aids to learn how to listen and talk. She is now in 4th grade and uses cochlear implants! Addison has had quite a journey and remains hardworking, dedicated, and joyful. She enjoys riding her horse and participating in Girl Scouts.
Annabel
Meet Annabel! A confident 4th grader whose interests and hobbies span very wide! She attended Desert Voices from 2016 to 2019 and as Annabel says, Desert Voices helped her learn to hear and speak! Annabel has since then continued to make amazing strides -- she is currently reading at an 8th grade level! Annabel, thanks for being a DV alumna!
Hadley
Hadley’s first year at Desert Voices was in 2015. She was known for her infectious laugh, her signature sparkly pink headband to hold her cochlear implants on, and the way she grew into a strong leader. Now, Hadley is 9 years old and enjoys school and soccer.
Aubrey
There’s just some kids that you know are going to be stars! One of those kids is Aubrey! Aubrey is deaf in her right ear and wears a BAHA (bone anchored hearing aid) to access sound which is amazing since Aubrey’s favorite things to do at Desert Voices were to “dance, dance, dance” and to “sing, sing, sing!” Aubrey graduated in 2022 and now attends kindergarten in the Phoenix area.
Wren
Wren started in our programs in 2019, always showing up to school with her bilateral cochlear implants paired with her high heeled princess shoes, and continued to excel -- leaving Desert Voices with age appropriate language skills!
Madison
Madison started at Desert Voices when she was just 8 months old. Fast forward to now, she is 14 years old and enjoys drawing, playing video games, and listening to music. We are lucky to have alumni with such creative spirits, like Madison!
Rory
Rory joined us in 2021 and quickly became a friend to all. Rory was known for her nurturing spirit, her ability to connect with others, and her fun personality. Rory is now in first grade, using bilateral cochlear implants, and she is doing so well.
Nicholas
Nicholas, an alumni who attended Desert Voices from 2002-2005, stopped by recently for a tour of Desert Voices. Nicholas is now heading to Idaho to pursue cybersecurity, but before his next adventure, he was able to chat with our current students.
Ariana
At 3 years old, Ariana had just recently received her bilateral cochlear implants and did not have much speech. Upon starting her journey at Desert Voices her outgoing & friendly spirit quickly won over hearts, and she learned to express herself and find her voice! By 6 1/2 years old she successfully mainstreamed into Kindergarten. Now at 10 years old she continues to thrive, and enjoys listening to music and playing soccer. Thank you for sharing your inspiring story, Ariana!
Lance, Addison, and David
The last alumni spotlight video showcases not one, but THREE Desert Voices alumni. We are grateful that we are able to keep in touch with many of our alumni families and receive heartwarming updates like these. Thank you Lance, Addison and David for all of your wishes to DV for our 25th anniversary, and are honored that you continue to share your stories with us!
If you are a Desert Voices alumni and would like to share your story too, please email info@desert-voices.org.
