Positive signs: Is in fourth year of American Sign Language classes and is spending this quarter in sign language classes at Seattle Central Community College. Hopes to become a deaf-education teacher.
Frightening time: First day of ASL class when she was a freshman and her teacher didn’t talk out loud once. Something she wasn’t used to as a hearing student. “She didn’t say a word. It was scary. It became the best class of my life. It has become my life.”
Taking the lead: Serves as president of high school’s ASL Club known as Finish Touch. The club includes hearing and deaf students. She also is working with younger students in deaf and hard-of-hearing classes at Madrona School, a kindergarten through eighth-grade school in Edmonds.
Future plans: Has been accepted to California State University at Northridge, which has a top-rated ASL program.
The whistler: Referees for soccer, basketball and baseball leagues through the Sno-King Youth Club.
Diamond fever: Plays softball for Edmonds-Woodway and likes second base most, but also can play third.
Favorite author: Jodi Picoult who wrote “The Pact” and “My Sister’s Keeper.”
Favorite memories: Always enjoyed summer trips to the Long Beach Peninsula as a child with her family.
Homegrown: Attended Edmonds schools from kindergarten through her senior year. “I think Edmonds is a perfect place for young kids … You always know you’re safe.”
Staying close: Attends Ballard Baptist Church with her family, including her dad, who has gone there since he was 6, her grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Open mind: “I’m a Christian and I love God, but I’m completely open to so many people and so many things. I want people to see that part of our faith – that people can be open and accept all kinds of people.”
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