SignAloud fails to properly translate sign language

By Jillian LeBlanc

Some ideas and inventions have good intentions but fail to fall into the practicality of life. Thomas Pryor and Navid Azodi, two sophomores at the University of Washington, recently won the Lemelson-MIT Student Prize with their invention SignAloud.

The Lemelson-MIT Student Prize is awarded to undergraduate teams and graduate students across the country. It honors students with exceptional inventions in the categories of healthcare, transportation, food and agriculture, or consumer devices.

In 2016, three undergraduate teams were awarded this prize, and four graduate students received this award as well.

SignAloud won due to its global impact, appearing to be an extremely useful device for both hearing and deaf people. A pair of SignAloud gloves utilizes Bluetooth technology, transmitting the user’s hand shape to a computer, translating signs into text or speech.

The Aurora Theatre sets itself apart from theaters in the area

By Jillian LeBlanc

Gourmet popcorn stand in
the Aurora Theatre lobby
(Photo by Jillian LeBlanc)

The Aurora Theatre sits on 673 Main St., a location it has called home since 1925. With a rustic look and retro feel, the theater visually stands out against modern competitors in the area. But under the ownership of Paul and Lynn Kinsella, it works to remain up to date and relevant, keeping in stride with chain theaters.

The Kinsellas purchased the theatre in 2010, and have consistently worked to expand the brand.

With a diminishing release window – the time it takes for a movie to go from theater to home – the Aurora Theatre is constantly making changes to draw customers.