At Oak Park High School, communication barriers are being torn down as students come together in the newly formed American Sign Language Club. This student-led initiative, supported by sponsors Brandy Castillo and Emily Grover, Ph.D., provides a welcoming space for learning ASL, inspired by the challenges faced by nonverbal students.

OP didn’t have a club like this until sophomore Chrissy Martin talked to teachers about creating it.

Inspired by her younger brother, who is nonverbal, Martin learned sign language to communicate with him. This personal experience pushed her desire to establish the ASL Club. Martin wanted a club dedicated to ASL because she has seen other schools with a club like this, and she thought it would be good for other students who need to learn sign language.

“I’ve seen that other schools have it as a class, so I thought we should have something too,” Martin said.

There are lots of reasons students would want to learn sign language. The ASL Club supports students who are going deaf or like Martin having a nonverbal relative learning ASL. The club could also be for students who want to join a club but can’t find one or want to learn a new language.

Sophomore Logan Licklider said, “I just wanted to join a club, and it seemed like the most interesting club to join.”

Sign language is not only a valuable skill but also an important form of communication bridging gaps between communities. However, few school clubs focus on teaching practical skills like this.

Sign language is a whole language and “a form of communication,” Licklider said.

The club takes place during MTSS every other Wednesday and to sign up you must ask your MTSS teacher to sign you up on Enriching Students.