North offers a wide variety of classes, but one that has gained popularity recently is American Sign Language, more commonly known as ASL. This year, the ASL class went above and beyond the classroom when they took a field trip to Washington, D.C. Hayley Kustelski, a senior and third year ASL student, reported that D.C. is home to the “only University designed to be a barrier free for the deaf and hard of hearing students,” called Gallaudet University. Hayley attended along with several other level-three ASL students.

All those who went were able to expose themselves to a school dedicated to learning in Sign Language and become “fully immersed in the culture,” Hayley stated. She especially “likes ASL because of the community that comes behind it. The ASL culture is something truly unique and beautiful. You can make friends by simply knowing the same language.”

Besides touring the campus, the students met with teachers, authors, coaches, and the President of Gallaudet. Later they watched a baseball game between Gallaudet and Penn State. Outside of the school, the students visited the Memorials and other spots around the city.

Another student who is a junior this year, Tony Mudek, also went on the trip. Tony enjoyed spending time with his classmates and “signing the whole time.” He reported that he likes learning  ASL because of the high chance that he’ll go deaf when he’s older. He also said, “I like ASL because it is so expansive and more fun than English.”

This was a great opportunity for all the students looking to work beyond the classroom and participate in the deaf community. If there’s one thing Hayley and her classmates want people to know, it’s that “being deaf doesn’t make you lesser.” As Dr. King Jordan, the seventh president of Gallaudet, said, “Deaf people can do anything hearing people can, except hear.” ASL is just like any other language in that it can open doors and build connections in a bigger community.