Not only are clubs a big part of Cathedral’s student community, they allow students of different backgrounds to come together because of a common interest. Promoting s unity is a unique new club, the American Sign Language Club.
ASL teachers Mr. Dano Kaufaman and Mrs. Sarah Rhodes are working together to create this club not just for students in ASL classes, but also for students with deaf friends and family, or just for anyone interested.
Activities of the future club will include working hand-in-hand with the Glee Club, working with Miss Wilson and Mr. Foley to create “ASL in song” and performing along with the Glee Club. In addition, the ASL Club hopes to give its own performances during liturgy and even at lunch, proving that ASL is both a means of communication and expression. Lunch activities will also be planned, playing interactive games like Battleship and Jeopardy, all ASL style, in either Mr. Kaufman’s or Mrs. Rhodes’ room.
The ASL club is already beginning to decide on its student board and officers. Logos are being designed and will be voted upon at the start of next year. For the required service hours, they hope to perform for deaf elementary school children.
“We have all sorts of ideas planned for this club,” said Mrs. Rhodes. “We just haven’t decided on them yet. All I know is that it’s going to be extremely interactive.”
This club is expected to grow. “I think it’ll be quite popular,” said Mr. Kaufman. “It will take awhile to grow, but I think anyone that enjoys sign language and feels they are good at it will come, and they should bring their friends, too.”
Next year the club plans to promote itself through commercials on CCTV, word of mouth or “signed narrative,” the faculty and staff, posters throughout the school, and even youtube.
“Every student has a youtube account,” said Mr. Kaufman. “We’d have to get that approved, of course, but it always is an option.”
Along with other new clubs coming to Cathedral next year, this is one to check out if one is interested in its culture.
“American Sign Language is the fourth most used language in the United States,” Mr. Kaufaman said. “I’m hoping this club will open up students to sign language, and allow them to open their eyes to this invisible culture and listen with their eyes. Deaf culture is definitely a minority culture. Being deaf is an invisible handicap. You can’t tell if someone is deaf. All languages are based on culture, and I want to explore that culture with students in this club.”