SUPPORT THE P.S. 347 2024 MARATHON TEAM!
P.S. 347 is an official charity partner for the TCS NYC 2024 Marathon.
We have five runners who together will raise at least $17,500 for our school.
Mark's journey into running began as a simple way to enjoy the outdoors and discover new corners of Austin, Texas. Yet, what began as a leisurely pursuit soon transformed into a profound passion. As a dedicated Deaf Educator and CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), Mark understands the vital role of bilingual education in fostering a strong linguistic foundation. When he's not teaching students at the Texas School for the Deaf, you'll likely find him pounding the pavement, training for his next marathon.
Now, Mark is thrilled to combine his love for running with his commitment to making a difference by representing and raising funds for PS 347 in the upcoming NYC Marathon.
CODA and Texas School for the Deaf Teacher
Deaf, Gay, Multiracial Actor
Dickie Drew Hearts (he/him) is a dynamic actor with notable credits both on stage and screen. His Off-Broadway performances include “Dark Disabled Stories” at The Public Theatre (earning a Lucille Lortel Outstanding Featured Performer Nomination), “Private Jones” - A New Musical at Signature Theatre and Goodspeed Musicals, and “The Laramie Project” with Deaf Austin Theatre. In New York, he has starred in “Maple & Vine” with New York Deaf Theatre and in “Trash” at IRT Theatre. His TV and film roles feature standout performances as Mateo in “Tales of the City” and Alexi in “High Maintenance” on HBO, as well as appearances in “Grace & Frankie”. Recognized for his talent, Dickie has received an Obie Award in 2024 and a Lucille Lortel Award nomination in 2023. He holds a Film degree from Gallaudet University. Hearts strives for more Deaf, disabled, ASL, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC representation. Follow him on Instagram @DickieHearts.
Dickie also collaborated with P.S. 347 students on two ASL music video Remember Me in 2021 and Somewhere Over the Rainbow in 2023.
ASL/English Interpreter and Runner
Hailey Sweeney is an ASL/English interpreter who has been working across the NYC/Long Island communities for 3 years. She has been signing from a young age, her first exposure to sign language was learning to sign the song “Imagine” by John Lennon. She then continued her journey through high school taking ASL classes and an internship at Cleary School for the Deaf, and is an alumni of Bloomsburg University’s ASL/English interpreting program. Now as an Astoria local, she is continuing her passion for education by interpreting for the DOE full time. Her running journey started as a way to meet people in the community and get her bearings, but has now grown into a passion. After working with a Deaf runner in a training program, she felt inspired to maintain her personal commitment. Now with the opportunity that PS 347 has given her to run the marathon, she is excited to give back to the community that has given so much to her.
Record-Setting Deaf Mountaineers
Scott Lehmann and Shayna Unger, deaf mountaineers, educators, storytellers, and Mountain Hardwear athletes, were born into multigenerational deaf families and raised in the deaf community. Before they started climbing mountains, Scott worked as a math teacher and Shayna as a school counselor at a deaf school. Over the past ten years, they have climbed some of the world’s highest mountains, including Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, Denali, Mont Blanc, and Matterhorn. Most recently, they became the first deaf individuals to reach three 8,000m peaks: Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu. They launched the “Seeing Beyond: Seven Summits” project to become the first deaf individuals to reach the Seven Summits, raising awareness, improving accessibility, and inspiring their community. When not climbing, they engage in speaking engagements, including recent appearances at the Outside Festival and Google. Beyond the peaks, they are dedicated to supporting deaf education and future generations of deaf and hard-of-hearing youth. They’re super stoked to be running for P.S. 347 this year!
The PS347 mission is to provide a bilingual education that values American Sign Language and Deaf culture and to help bridge the Deaf and hearing communities in New York City.
P.S. 347, The American Sign Language & English Lower School, is a Dual Language PreK-to-8 public school in NYC serving d/Deaf, hard-of-hearing (D/HOH), CODA (children of deaf adults), and hearing students. We are a non-zoned mainstream school centrally located in Manhattan.
Our families come from all over NYC to be a part of this special place - a place where hearing differences are the norm, and everyone feels like they truly belong. We are on a quest to become the most inclusive school for the Deaf community, and strive to create a new generation of hearing allies and advocates.