The Dream Team
Gregory Justin Michael Perez, President
Born in the Bronx, NY 1972
Background: Puerto Rican Graduated New York School for the Deaf Accomplishments: School Government, Student Body President President Jr Nad Class of ‘92 Education: NTID ’92-‘93 Gallaudet 94 -95 RIT 95-96 DPS Job President Day Job Residential counselor for mentally ill youth and adults at group home facility Hobbies Basketball, boxing, ping pong, foosball, football, floor hockey, DJ, and watching movies |
Zaineb "Zee" Abdulla, Vice President
Born in 1991
Background: Iraqi Education University of Illinois at Chicago, 2013 - BA in Sociology St. Joseph’s University, 2017 - MS.Ed in Special Education/Deaf Education California State University, 2019 - VCS Applied Behavior Analysis Arizona Trauma Institute -Clinical Trauma Specialist certification DPS Job Vice President Day Job Board Certified Behavior Analyst Hobbies Mixed martial arts, writing, compulsive coffee drinking |
Parisa Haghighi
Born: Tehran, Iran in 1988
Background: Iranian and Russian Education NTID 2012 AAS in Laboratory Science Technology. Graduated from Eastern Illinois University, majoring in Medical Lab Science/Biological Science with a Bachelors degree, 2019 DPS Job Social Media Manager Day Job Hobbies Listening to the music, playing with makeup, working out, traveling, self-defense, watching movies, reading quotes for living. I enjoy learning something new everyday! |
Adlai Hampton Jr.
Heritage: Black
Education Whitney M. Young H.S 1986-1990 Northern Illinois University 1991 Harold Washington City College 2009-11 Employment Northern Trust Bank Company, check processor and data entry 1997-2001 LaSalle Bank, data entry 2001-2005 Thresholds, staff aide 2001-2013 Current Employment CVS Health Manufacturing, Pharmacy Tech 1 Calibrator (Pharmacy Technical License) Accomplishments My accomplishment will come when I finish studying for my pharmacy tech license Hobbies I like to travel around world and enjoy to meeting new people of various cultural backgrounds. I love to play sports, especially basketball and football and enjoy trying new adventures. I like to read books: non-fiction or fiction, whatever interests me! I also like to play video games, hang out with friends and family at events. I enjoying volunteering in a variety of events and helping others in need. |
Nansi Hernandez
Born in Durango, Mexico in 1989
Background: Latinx DPS Job Personnel Manager Day Job Residential counselor for youth and adults at group home facility + providing services to clients with mental health needs and developmental disabilities. Hobbies Adult coloring, watching interesting documentaries, playing board games, putting together puzzles, butterfly gardening, collecting favorite things, hiking in nature, jogging or running, and wine tasting |
Sibila Munoz Torres
Born in Concepcion, Chile in 1968
Background: Chilean and Latina Education Rockville High School (Maryland), 1987 Gallaudet University, 1996 (BS, Family Consumer Studies) Accomplishments Secretary: National Hispanic Latino Association of the Deaf and Latino Deaf & Hard of Hearing Association Metropolitan, DC DPS Job Secretary Day Job Paraprofessional, Kendall Demonstration Elementary School, Gallaudet University, 1998-current Hobbies Traveling the world, shopping, cross stitching, wine tastings and watching movies/soccer. |
Courtney Nugent
Born: Chicago 1989
Background: Irish & German Accomplishments High Honor Roll, multiple academic years Summa Cum Laude, 2011 Education Lemont High School- 2007 Gallaudet University- 2011 (BA in Biology) Certified Sterile Processing Technician - 2015 Certified Illinois Basset Bartender- renewed 2021 DPS Job Soldier Field Program, VIP Manager Day Job Medical Billing Clerk- current Hobbies Pet sitting, exercising, watching movies/tv shows, listening to music, wine tastings, event planning, and working as a certified special event bartender |
Derek Nathaniel Troy
Born in Evanston, IL in 1977
Background: Part Romanian, Part Russian Education Hersey High School 1996 William Rainey Harper 1996-1997 College of Lake County 1998 Northern Illinois University (Bachelor’s Degree) 2000 DPS Job Soldier Field Program, Outdoor Manager Day Job Bicycle dealer Hobbies Flea market, farmer’s market, reading books, sightseeing |