High school students learn to converse in sign language

October 14, 2021

Sarah Aslam

Students practicing their American Sign Language at the high school on Oct. 7: Sophomore Sierra Hagelman (left, in front); freshman Addy Andrews (right, in front); senior Caleb Garcia-Rangel (left, rear); and junior Leroy Wynne (right, rear).

Ann Hilburn began learning American Sign Language for an elective course in college, thinking it would benefit her aspirations of becoming a nurse.

That class led her to change her career field entirely. "I had just fallen in love with sign language," she said.

She's passing that love on to a dozen Wrangell High School students taking her class for their foreign language requirement. Hilburn is new to the district this year.

It is a language unto itself, 17-year-old senior Caleb Garcia-Rangel observed, which people unfamiliar with ASL often don't realize.

"I think it's pretty cool," Garcia...

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