April 15, 2025
By Debra Ogunbowale
Webmaster
I will never forget the first time I encountered American Sign Language. It was 2016, and I was watching Deaf actor Nyle DiMarco dance his way to victory on Season 22 of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars. Observing the fluidity with which he moved and communicated without being able to hear inspired little 8-year-old me.
Fast forward seven years to the middle of my freshman year. Media specialist Ms. Murru came into my English I-Honors class to inform the students about the Virtual High School Learning program open to sophomores, juniors and seniors. She explained that students would work independently on their Chromebooks in the media center during a set period in their schedule with teachers and classmates from all over the world.
As I skimmed through a handout that listed about 50 VHS course offerings, American Sign Language 1, 2 and 3 caught my attention. I promptly filled out the paperwork to enroll in ASL 1 and took it home to get my parents’ approval. It was an easy “yes” from them because they want me to be well-versed in multiple languages. My dad filled out the form, and the rest is history.
In the past two years, I have completed over 350 assignments and used my sign language knowledge to converse with friends, VHS classmates, my VHS teachers and high and middle school band teachers Mr. Chwalyk and Mr. Coffey, who are fluent in ASL.
When I took ASL 1 during my sophomore year, I learned signs for everyday communication and researched deaf history. This year, as a student in ASL 2, along with new signs, my class is learning about deaf institutions as well as rules and regulations under the Americans with Disabilities Act that protect deaf individuals from discrimination.
In the past two years, I have completed over 350 assignments and used my sign language knowledge to converse with friends, VHS classmates, my VHS teachers and high and middle school band teachers Mr. Chwalyk and Mr. Coffey, who are fluent in ASL.
Furthermore, I enjoy teaching my friends how to communicate through ASL. Their support and curiosity encourage me to continue striving to master the language.
Outside of school, I am looking forward to a day when I can use my sign language skills to converse with my autistic and mute cousin who lives in Dublin, Ireland. Although Dublin uses Irish Sign Language and not ASL, I hope we can bridge that sign language barrier and understand each other to a certain extent.
National ASL Day is commemorated on April 15, the anniversary of the founding of the American School for the Deaf, which opened in 1817. Therefore, today is a particularly appropriate day for me to reflect on the meaning of ASL in my life.
While I will not be continuing to ASL 3 after this year, the skills I have learned and my appreciation for the deaf community will always stay with me.
Studying ASL has allowed me to communicate in a manner that surpasses spoken words. Not only has it broadened my perspective on non-verbal expression, but it has also exposed me to a beautiful culture built upon visual communication, acceptance, and inclusivity.
