The ASL club.
By Nina Bivens
The Casper College American Sign Language Club kicked off with its first meeting of the year on September 15. The meeting focused on brainstorming what the club wants to accomplish for the school year. Through the conversation, one topic kept resurfacing; Community. Due to a lack of resources, the signing population in Wyoming, specifically Casper, has struggled to come together. However, Gail Schenfisch, CC educator and ASL program leader explained that student effort in the past six years aided in reversing the trend.
“Through students’ encouragement and suggestions I designed four semesters of classes. We are the only community college in the state that offers a degree in ASL,” Schenfisch said.
The ASL program focuses on opportunities for students to be active with ASL and not be afraid. However, the major goal of the program is to bring people together regardless of whether they know how to sign in ASL or not.
One of the major hurdles of growing the ASL program hinges on people hesitant to join. Yet, Schenfisch mentioned that ASL is for everyone.
She said, “that’s what we are designed for, to be open to Casper College students to know more about ASL and deafness and anything in the community related to sign language.”
CC student and ASL member Eva Stone spoke about how important ASL is and the reasons people skip out on the experience.
“It is not only a language but a gateway to communication with a community that has such a rich culture. The best way to learn sign is to immerse yourself in it, and ASL club helps you do just that. It is an easy chill environment with students of various skill levels helping each other practice.”
This year, the ASL club will focus on incorporating its club into the community. Every year, the program plans a community service project and hosts potluck to bring people together each semester.
Schenfisch also mentioned that the organization is planning a trip for ASL students to attend Deaf Safari Days at the Denver Zoo on October 1, as well as several students going to a Silent Immersion Weekend in Estes Park on November 17-19.
Additionally, The ASL Club hosts the Deaf Expressive Arts Festival, giving students or other individuals another chance to immerse themselves in ASL. The festival plans on incorporating deaf artists and speakers into the lives of people who would not otherwise be involved with the signing or deaf community.
