The high school offers only two main second language classes for students, Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL). This limited selection pushes many students into ASL. However, this helped senior Evan Arnold find her passion with ASL. She is involved in the ASL community and is excited to continue learning the language and become an interpreter in the future.
Looking back, Arnold can see she was drawn to ASL as early as fifth grade. She became engaged in reality TV shows where deaf people communicated in ASL. After that, her desire to learn how to sign grew.
“I would go to the library all the time at [Highlands Middle School], and I would get these dictionaries, look through them and teach myself,” Arnold said. “I was just so captivated by the signs and the expressions. I told myself, ‘I’m gonna learn this.’”
As a freshman, Arnold took ASL with teacher Marie Deregnaucourt, and continued to pursue the subject through senior year.
“[Arnold] is one of those students that goes over-the-top, above and beyond,” Deregnaucourt said. “Once she has a passion for something, nothing is gonna be able to get in her way.”
Through the four years of ASL Arnold has taken, she has grown close to Deregnaucourt and views her as a role model.
“We get along so well, and it’s just really nice to interact with someone who is so passionate about the language,” Arnold said. “I’ll go up to her, and I’ll ask her a question like ‘What’s the sign for this?’ and then ‘Why is it like that?’ The whole language is just fascinating.”
Arnold does not only do ASL, but she is also involved in other extracurricular activities like the girls swim team, girls lacrosse, Welcoming Accepting Valuing Everyone club (WAVE), Rise-Up, National Honors Society (NHS), the Dance Team, and Student Council.
“Evan deserves to be recognized for not only being a state level athlete but for all that she is a part of at Northview and within her community,” girls swim coach Rob Damuth said.
Additionally, she volunteers at Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS). Arnold tries to “get as involved in the community” as she can.
“She works very hard,” Deregnaucourt said. “She does sports, she’s doing things with the musical club, she’s working on this huge expo that we’re having in May, so she does so many things, but does exceptional work on each thing.”
Arnold plans to continue her future by going to Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) for college to study interpretation for ASL, as well as to swim and play lacrosse.
“[RIT] was my dream school. It was a difficult school to get in, but I’m excited,” Arnold said. “I’m excited to be in a college setting and be surrounded by people who are passionate about their studies.”
To finish off her senior year, Arnold and the ASL 3 class will be signing for the musical Matilda in an immersive experience, which will take place in May. Evan will be signing for the main role.
Arnold is excited to see what her future holds for her and see what the community will plan to do with ASL in the future.
“[Arnold] adds a lot of kindness, high levels of maturity, responsibility, and a lot of positivity,” Deregnaucourt said. “She works very hard and strives to be the best. She is a great role model for these kids at Northview.”
