Hundreds Expected to Attend ASL Fest
March 7, 2012
Note: this event happened on March 1-3, 2012
A celebration of sign language has brought in hundreds of students from
across the state.
The Texas School for the Deaf, along with ACC and the Galladudet
University Regional Center are hosting the ASL Fest, which gives
students a bird’s eye view of career opportunities they might want to
pursue.
Rapper Sean Forbes has a captive audience. These students and the
rapper have something in common, they are hearing impaired.
Forbes is one of a dozen or so deaf “professionals,” who are showcasing
their skills and experience to deaf students as part of the first-ever
ASL Fest.
The three day festival is showcasing experts in their fields, like
musicians, cartoonists and artists. And through seminars and events,
students can get direct contact with those leaders.
Brenda Schertz is one of those leaders. She teaches American Sign
Language at the University of Southern Maine and flew in for the event.
She has been taking students and community through an art museum set up
at the Texas School for the Deaf.
“The students are very inspired by this. They’re like ‘ooh, I can go to
art school. I can learn to become a cartoonists, through art and I can
include my deaf experience in it and that could be a career option’ and
maybe before they had never thought of that,” said Schertz.
Amelia Hamilton, 16, is one of the students who has been surprised by
what she has learned through the ASL Fest, especially by looking at
cartoonist Matt Daigle’s work.
“That was fascinating. He is so impressive, like what he can draw,”
said Hamilton.
Texas Institute for the Deaf Principal John Serrano hopes for those
“wow” moments at ASL Fest.
“It shows them they can do anything. Art. Performing. Music. The
possibilities are endless. They have the opportunity to meet deaf
artists, which is a great role model for them and great experience for
them to meet different deaf artists,” said Serrano.
For students like Hamilton, it gives them assurance, the world is
theirs for the taking.
“I’m no sure what I want do but I want to do something that will make a
difference,” said Hamilton.
The ASL Fest will host community day tomorrow at the Texas School for
the Deaf.
The community is invited to attend, enjoy performances, food, vendors
and take a look at arts and crafts by deaf artists.
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