Daleville student excels despite disabilities

By By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
May 29, 2003
When Dilandez Cherry was born premature, doctors said he would never walk or talk and may even be severely retarded if he survived.
Last week, Cherry proved the doctors wrong when he was valedictorian of the Mississippi School for the Deaf. He also received a regular high school diploma, not a special education diploma.
Cherry, or "Dee" as he is known to his friends, is almost completely deaf. He lives in Daleville with his aunt and legal guardian, Mary Hudson.
Hudson said she knew the doctors were wrong when Cherry climbed a tree in his backyard at age 6 and said he could see two neighborhood kids from where he was.
Cherry also has excelled athletically: He played basketball, football and ran track at the School for the Deaf. In fact, the walls of his room are lined with awards, plaques and trophies proof of his accomplishments.
But Cherry is humble.
In order to earn a regular high school diploma, Cherry took the same standardized tests as other public school students in Mississippi. He said this will help him achieve his goal of becoming a lawyer.
Cherry began his education at Parkview Elementary School and then went on to Magnolia Middle School, where he attended a class for the hearing impaired.
Arness also said Cherry was a fine role model for the younger students at the school.
In most ways, Cherry is much like a regular teenager. Besides basketball and football, he also likes to play on the computer, listen to music and drive his aunt's car.
After visiting his mother in Virginia this summer, Cherry said he plans to attend Hinds Community College for two years. Then, he wants to go to Gallaudet University, a school for the deaf, in Washington.

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Mousey Brown

News

Russellville First Baptist Church receives historical marker

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Meeting a higher standard – Russellville High School JROTC

News

RCS BOE announces new superintendent  

News

Miss Dream Girl Pageant names winners

Franklin County

First Metro Bank hosts FAME Girls’ Ranch donation drive

News

PCHS holds annual Shelby Grissom Memorial Fashion Show

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: VFW Post 5184 – ‘No One Does More For Veterans’

Features

Supporting students’ futures

Features

Red Bay Garden Club discusses amaryllis planting

Franklin County

UA announces local students for fall 2023 President’s, Dean’s, graduation lists

News

School news

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Troy Oliver

Franklin County

Appropriations bill passes, allots more than $3 million for new Russellville library/multipurpose center 

Franklin County

Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association names Cattleman of the Year 

Franklin County

Franklin County votes: Unofficial March 5 primary election results 

Franklin County

Funding for new Russellville library, multipurpose community center expected this week

Features

Faces of Franklin County: BTCPA

News

GFWC Russellville Book Lovers Club sponsors downtown art crawl

Franklin County

PROGRESS 2024: Veteran Spotlight – Cody Bragwell

Franklin County

42nd annual Miss RHS pageant names winners 

News

Miss RHS pageant takes place Friday

Franklin County

Political announcement: David Hester speaks about run for reelection as county commissioner

Franklin County

BTCPA auditions for final production of season take place March 3-4 

x