People : Student-Athlete Will Bicycle Across Country to Increase Awareness of Dyslexia Problems

Andy Geiser, a 24-year-old triathlete and student from the University of Hawaii, will begin a bike ride across America on May 19 at William R. Mason Regional Park in Irvine. Geiser is cycling across the United States to increase the public’s awareness of the problems of dyslexia and the existing possibilities available to help those with the disorder. Dyslexia causes impairment of language skills--reading, writing and spelling.

Geiser’s dedication stems from his personal experience with the disorder. As an elementary school student, Geiser was restless and had trouble concentrating on his studies. His academic career was characterized by inconsistent performance. Reading irritated him. His problems were not alleviated after eye glasses were prescribed.

It was not until a doctor diagnosed his condition as dyslexia that he and those around him began to understand his problems. He knows how it feels to be a child of average or above-average intelligence and yet to be called “slow” or “stupid.”

The Orange County branch of the Orton Dyslexia Society will send Geiser on his trek, on which he will speak and distribute literature about dyslexia. He hopes to raise funds for the advancement of teacher training in dyslexia and to end up at the White House in 73 days. A Country Fair and Bike Contest will be held at the Irvine park from noon to 4 p.m. May 19 to raise money. Geiser plans to begin his ride at between 3 and 3:30 p.m.

United States Olympic gymnast Peter Vidmar will speak at the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce Salute to Youth luncheon May 22. Vidmar captured a gold medal on the pommel horse and a silver medal in all-around men’s gymnastics. As a team member, he also shared the team’s gold medal. Four academic scholarships totaling $5,000 and four community service awards will be presented to students from the Huntington Beach Union High School District. The luncheon will begin at 11:45 a.m. at the Huntington Beach Inn, 2112 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach.

William J. Moore, president of Chabot College in Hayward, has been elected president of the Assn. of Independent California Colleges and Universities, headquartered in Santa Ana. Moore’s term will begin July 1. He succeeds Morgan Odell, who retires after 18 years as chief staff executive for the association. The association is a statewide organization with a membership of 63 California-accredited, nonprofit undergraduate and graduate institutions.

Dale Junior High School Principal Bennett Looney and former Dale principal Verne Horton have received the state Department of Education’s Exemplary Education Award for the school’s outstanding academic achievements. The award was presented to the school for three years of improved test scores and for the overall school climate. School counselor Dana Bivins was also lauded for coordinating the program to improve the education of students from low-income families, which began during Horton’s administration. The school, part of the Anaheim Union High School District, was one of two junior high schools in the state selected to receive the award. The school was also recognized by the U.S. Department of Education by being one of 12 in California to be included in a national publication naming exemplary schools.

Joshua Levine, a Cypress High School junior, has been selected for the 1985-86 Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program. The program, conceived by members of the U.S. Congress and West German Bundestag, enables American students to live with a West German family and study at a German school for one year.

Levine will meet with top-level German government officials, attend seminars and tour Germany during his time abroad.