“I started [learning sign language] when I was two, but I started actually taking classes when I was in seventh grade, because I just think it’s important for hearing people to be able to communicate with deaf people. For a Veteran’s Day [program at Hickman Elementary], I asked my band director if I could go with the band and do sign language for the National Anthem, and he said yeah, that that’d be cool. I wanted to do that because there are also special needs kids at the elementary school that are deaf, and I wanted to do that for them. I think people noticed because when you’re moving your hands a lot; they really stop and notice, and they think, “Oh, what’s she doing? Maybe that’s sign language, maybe it’s not.” People pay attention, and that’s the big thing, because I think it can have an impact on everyone. I think it can affect those kids and even the teachers, but especially the special needs children who think it’s cool that there is a student somewhere that really wants to know [sign language], because that’s rare. I mean, I’m the only person in this school that’s in ASL 3. I like being that person who can interpret and help.”

freshman Matt Guinn