Junior Callie Trissal has always been interested in learning sign language as it is a form of non-verbal communication and was disappointed after finding out that it’s not an option here at Southeast.
“Whenever I went to a different school they had a class for ASL (American Sign Language),” Trissal said. “And then I talked to Mr. Teemant and he said that we couldn’t get a class here so I decided to make it a club so that students could still have an opportunity to learn more.”
Several other students have also shown interest in the creation of an ASL club, but it was only recently that the idea came to fruition, according to deaf and hard of hearing lead teacher James Clark.
“It was years ago we did have a club that was good for about a year and then we didn’t have enough people who could actually teach the club anymore, so we stopped it, and we haven’t had one since,” Clark said, through interpreter Kimberly Hofmann.
“I became deaf at the age of five. I had spinal meningitis, and soon after I became deaf, I had to learn sign that way I was able to communicate with others,” Clark said. “So I learned a different kind of sign in the beginning, and then later when I was 12, I learned American Sign Language, and I’ve used that all the way through high school and college and today.”
The club aims to encourage ASL and deaf awareness in the community by teaching students how to use ASL in their personal lives such as in their school or work environment.
“We’re always thrilled when we meet people who know some signs, it just makes life easier for us when we’re able to communicate,” Clark said.
The club is available to anyone who is interested and has no language skill or prior ASL experience requirements.
“The challenge is really gonna be the same, either way you’re learning a new language, and a new culture that goes with that language,” Clark said. “So really, it’s the same, the only difference is that American Sign Language is a visual language that is just meant to be seen through your eyes. It is not written or read or spoken, it is just a visual language.”
Clark hopes we will eventually have an ASL class available in the school and the district as a whole. For now, students who are interested in joining the club should attend club meetings held Thursdays in the conference room of the main offices (A116).
“The goal is really just for anybody that wants to learn it to learn it and also have the kids that are hard of hearing to make friends and everyone to be able to communicate in another way,” Trissal said. “All we’re focused on right now is learning but we’re also thinking about doing more activities outside of school, going to the movies, and being able to communicate with the kids in other ways.”
