Honors to ASL

American Sign Language was first offered as a foreign language last school year. It is a great opportunity for students to take a language other than Spanish or French.

The students in ASL last year decided to create an American Sign Language Club. It began last year and students learned ASL and were able to become more involved.

This year the ASL Club continued with new members. The first semester the president was Geneva Pleasant, 12 and the Vice President was Ashley Offenbach. The club recently held re-elections to give more people opportunities to have leadership roles and Sam Jobe, 12 is now President and I remain Vice President.

So far this year the ASL Club has celebrated the holidays in ASL and invited a performance group, Vibrations, from the deaf school.

Although the club has done plenty this year, it was not enough for members. The active members in ASL Club decided to become an honor society.

ASL Honors is separate than ASL Club and there are many more opportunities, requirements, and responsibilities. Students must have a 3.2 GPA in ASL classes, have taken two years of ASL, and must complete five hours of community service.

Currently, the ASL honor society is working with Hancock County Public Library and Ten West to put on an ASL kids’ night. They are also deciding how to fundraise to earn money for the club and have more opportunities to learn about sign language, as well as collaborating with the Indiana School for the Deaf to volunteer at their annual race.

Once all of these community hours are completed, honor members will have the opportunity to graduate high school with ASL honors. The student must be in the honor society and have completed all requirements as well as purchasing the honor cords.

Sam Jobe, 12, said, “It is hard to get out into the Deaf community because we are not actively a part of it as hearing people; but with ASLHS it will allow us to have credibility as well as act as a gateway for volunteering for the greater Deaf World. We are 1 of 2 high schools doing this in the state of Indiana so it will bring an interest of MV as well as show our strong support for the Deaf Community.”

If you are interested in joining ASL honor society, and meet all the previously mentioned requirements, talk to Mrs. Peterson in room E114.