04/14/2025
Mac Arthur HS -
The MacArthur ASL Story of the Year
Ironically, after a year of more community service and performances than ever before, including our largest numbers for the Brook Hollow Library classes and most student teachers ever, 30, and an added Christmas retirement home show in addition to our regular retirement home show, KIN classes with 20 volunteering students, the annual World Language Tour and ASL Has Talent and a recently added Flex ASL Show, it has been something small that popped up recently that has been the surprise story of the year in ASL.
Brookdale Retirement Home near the Medical Center contacted us in March after seeing articles about our Brook Hollow library classes. They wanted to have a class at their location for a small group of residents and employees who wanted to learn how to sign so they could communicate with one of the deaf residents. Harry, who doesn’t speak and is profoundly deaf wasn’t able to communicate with anyone there, except through writing, which wasn’t easy. Even his daughter in law who is attending the classes couldn’t communicate very much when she visited.
The first week was hard as 4 of the top MacArthur ASL students started with the basics, the ABC’s and basic phrases, but most of the residents had a hard time with the fingerspelling. Week 2 brought a few new residents and several others from week 1 didn’t show. Week 3, the students tried a more basic approach with more communication practice amongst everyone. A few of the residents had returned this week and another supervisor who picked up on everything very fast started communicating with Harry almost immediately after learning a few basics. By the end of the class, all the residents were involved and signing to one degree or another with each other. It was obvious that Harry was enjoying it all.
I can’t emphasize enough how difficult the challenge was and how well the 4 MacArthur students were doing, who had volunteered for this 5 week Sunday afternoon class. They were patient and caring all the time with smiles on their faces. Seniors Victoria Medrano and Grace Robinson showed how experienced they’ve become, not only through the Brook Hollow Library ASL classes and KIN program, but PALs and other teaching experiences they’ve had while in high school. Sister Zabella Medrano and brother Xavier Robinson also have done a fantastic job following in their older siblings footsteps.
After all this year’s incredible classes and shows, this small class seemed more important than anything this year. Harry was excited finally having communication with some of those around him. We still have 2 weeks left, including Easter Sunday and then the possibility of continuing this next year. These 4 MacArthur students are truly doing something special.
