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 Employment 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, Honor's College, 2013 BA in Sociology, concentration in the sociology of race and oppression St. Joseph’s University, 2017 MS.Ed in Special Education/Deaf Education California State University, 2019 VCS Applied Behavior Analysis Employment History: Community Organizer, Arab American Action Network Program Coordinator, WCPC Freedom School Founder and CEO, Deaf Defy, Inc Current Employment Board Certified Behavior Analyst Hobbies Mixed martial arts, writing, compulsive coffee drinking and art |
Derek Nathaniel Troy
Born in Evanston, IL 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 Employment Bicycle dealer Hobbies Flea market, farmer’s market, walking my dog, reading books, sightseeing |
Parisa Haghighi
Born: Tehran, Iran '88
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. Hobbies Listening to the music, enjoy playing with makeup, working out, traveling, self-defense, watching movies, reading quotes for living |
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. |
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 Employment Medical Billing Clerk- current Hobbies Pet sitting, exercising, watching movies/tv shows, listening to music, wine tastings, events planning, and certified special event bartender |