What is your name?
My name is David Trimborn.
Can you tell me the year you graduated from St. Rita School for the Deaf?
1980, I completed my education at St. Rita School for the Deaf.
Also, I'm curious about your hometown and current residence.
I grew up in Dayton, Ohio, which is approximately 35 minutes away from St. Rita. Currently, I reside near Riverside School for the Deaf in Riverside, California.
What path did you take after graduating?
I graduated and pursued Data Processing at NTID, but it wasn't my passion, so I withdrew from the program. While at NTID, I joined the USA Water Polo team for the Deaflympics in 1981. At that time, the USA didn't have a water polo team, so I became a part of the first-ever US team. Before joining the water polo team, I tried out swimming, but I didn't make the team. I then trained for water polo at NTID and flew to New York to meet other US athletes before heading to Frankfurt, Germany, to compete in the 1981 Deaflympics. We achieved 4th place after losing to West Germany during overtime. It was an enjoyable experience meeting international athletes.
After withdrawing from NTID, I spent 2 ½ years exploring California and then attended Gallaudet for two years. However, Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) stopped supporting me due to my limited time at NTID and Gallaudet. I returned home to Ohio and looked for hands-on work, which led me to become skilled in floor installation. I worked in that field until my retirement in 2013. After retiring, I settled down in Riverside, California, which has one of the best deaf communities in the United States. I volunteer with sports events at the California School for the Deaf since I have always loved sports. It's rewarding to watch and encourage the students to pursue their dreams.
I would love to hear about your fondest memories of St. Rita School for the Deaf. (What are your favorite memories at St. Rita?)
One of my favorite memories was the football game between St. Rita and the Indiana School for the Deaf (ISD) at their home field. The game went into seven overtimes, breaking a new record. However, other schools have broken this record with eight overtimes. Our team was smaller than ISD's, and we did not have enough players for substitutions. As a result, we had to play both offense and defense, which exhausted us. We continued to fight until ISD ultimately won the game. Upon returning to SRS after the game, many players experienced leg cramps inside the bus. The next day, our principal gave us the first three periods off to have enough rest before returning to our fourth-period class. It was remarkable to almost beat the same team that won the National Deaf Championship the following year. That game was a fantastic memory!
Lastly, what do you appreciate most about your time there? (What are you grateful for, St. Rita)
I am thankful for the education I received from St. Rita School for the Deaf. The school was of excellent quality, and our teachers were great during my time there. The knowledge I gained from this school proved extremely useful when I entered the world, and it set me on a path to a fulfilling life. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and thank everyone who made it possible. Thank you!