This year, Cathedral Catholic High School hired a new, exciting, and positive member of staff. Hala Somo is the new ASL teacher at Cathedral and has had so much influence in her time here so far.

I have taken ASL since my freshman year, but this year was different. At first, when I heard the rumors that we were going to have a Deaf ASL teacher, I was a mix of nervous but also excited. I was worried I didn’t know enough ASL to be able to get through the year communicating in only sign language. Was she going to be a harsh grader?

I was excited though, to be able to learn from someone who had such first-hand knowledge with the subject and grateful for the opportunity. I had so many doubts and questions though.

Those doubts were quickly put at ease when I had my first class with Ms. Somo. She was welcoming and always had a smile on her face. I left class that first day having learned how to keep up with someone with real-world experience using ASL. I and others in the class learned more that first day than I had the years before. 

Hala Somo is an inspiring member of the community and brings with her a hopeful and genuine attitude. Ms. Somo teaches ASL without using voice which is a major change from the usual traditional method of teaching that we are accustomed to (auditory learning). It is far more effective because it immerses students in the natural linguistic and cultural experience of the Deaf community.

ASL is a visual language, relying on hand shapes, facial expressions, and body movements to convey meaning, and the use of voice can create unnecessary reliance on spoken English, which has a different grammatical structure. By removing voice, students develop stronger receptive and expressive ASL skills, allowing them to think in the language rather than translating from English.

Additionally, Ms. Somo points out that ASL is best taught by a Deaf person who has firsthand experience with the language and culture. Deaf instructors provide authentic insights into the nuances of ASL, including cultural norms, and the lived experiences of Deaf people. 

Ms. Somo was originally an Indigenous Chaldean, also known as Assyrian. She was born and raised in Batnaya, a village in the northern region of Iraq. She and her family lived there until she was ten and a half before they were forced to leave the country and escape to Syria due to the ongoing war and their strong faith in the Catholic Church.

Seeking safety, they became refugees for a year and a half before finally being approved to move to the United States. They settled in San Diego, where they felt right at home. With its similar geographical features, beautiful weather, and the presence of extended family, San Diego became the perfect place to re-settle.

Cathedral Catholic High School welcomed Ms. Somo into their community, and soon a true change in campus was seen. “She’s a great teacher who inspires me to learn, she’s also very funny,” Owen Fretwell ‘26 said, when asked about his ASL class.

As we students know, Cathedral this year has been focused on the theme Unum, and being unified together as one. “I immediately felt a connection,” Ms. Somo signed. “There was something about this place that didn’t make me feel like I was different or separate.”

The Deaf community and culture are known for their strong sense of collaboration and close-knit environment. Ms. Somo describes Cathedral as being similar to the Deaf community in these aspects.

“I want there to be more awareness…and that people here are willing to learn about Deaf culture,” Somo signed. Right now at school, there are various posters about Deaf culture and awareness. During February, March, and April there have and will be various announcements in the mornings about the Deaf community. There are many Deaf-focused events around San Diego that Ms. Somo hopes to get the word out about.

With her presence here at Cathedral the school has had more awareness and education than ever. Overall, Somo has brought a positive and bright energy to Cathedral that both the staff and students have been grateful to be in the presence of.