November 1st marked the kick-off of the first meeting of ETHS’ new ASL Club.
American Sign Language is one of the fastest-growing languages offered by ETHS, and the program has reached record numbers this winter. This club is open to all, including those who do and don’t take the ASL class. Juniors Miriam Cortelyou, Eden Osborn and Elise Levy all came together at the beginning of the school year to plan and organize their visions for this club.
“We started the club because we love using ASL and saw that there were clubs for all other languages and wanted to bring that to ASL,” says Osborn.
Starting up a club at ETHS is hard work, and these three worked throughout the beginning of the school year, filling out forms, getting signatures and organizing plans to make this club a reality.
ASL Club’s home is in West 204–Ms. Knoeppel’s classroom. She is the proud sponsor of the club and a teacher of both ASL 1 and 3. “I was so excited. I think these three students are go-getters and leaders!” says Ms. Knoeppel.
The club was actually created many years ago but is only now being picked back up again. Before ASL classes were as popular as they are now, ETHS only offered ASL 1, 2 and 3. Because of this, senior students who had one more year of language wanted to make a club to continue learning ASL and learn more about the culture of the Deaf community. When ASL 4 was introduced to ETHS, the club slowly faded away. The three new leaders envisioned the class and club coexisting, and the ASL Club was revitalized.
The second meeting of the club doubled the numbers from the first. “I think around 20 people came,” Levy added. The meeting’s theme was fall, and attendees learned all kinds of fall signs through interactive games, videos and explanations from the leaders. ASL-interested people got a chance to meet others with the same enthusiasm and sign with them. A key reason the club already has such a big audience is the inclusive community. Cortelyou says, “ASL 3 and 4 students helping ASL 2 students was a main goal for me when making this club. I wanted to have mentorship.” And this sentiment definitely rings true—ASL Club continues to have a supportive environment. If you get the chance, head to West 204 during AM support. You will not want to miss out on learning a language and culture like ASL, novices and experienced signers alike!
