By: Bella Virgilio
Some of Guyer High School’s ASLHS and ASL club members at the Deaf Coffee Event.
Picture taken by Payton Coon.
Guyer High School’s chapter of the American Sign Language Honors society, and ASL club will be attending the Deaf Coffee Event on April 20,2024. It will be held at Zara’s Coffee from 7 pm to 11 pm! Deaf Coffee is an event that ASLHS goes to get to know the deaf community in our area, play games, and of course, drink coffee!
The Guyer High school’s chapter of the American Sign Language Honors Society (ASLHS) was established in 2022. This is an organization that was established in 2006 by the American Sign Language Teacher Association. The mission of this society is to encourage and recognize high academic achievement students in ASL for high school and college/university students. President of ASLHS, Payton Coon talks about Deaf Coffee, and her experience with ASL.
“Ever since I was young, I’ve always been surrounded by people who are deaf. Over time I just loved watching them sign and wanted to understand what they were saying.” Coon said, about her background with ASL. “I enjoyed Deaf coffee because of the social aspect. I think it enriches your ability to communicate because you have to think: what am I gonna say? how am I gonna say it? How do I get their attention? It is a lot more effort to communicate, and it’s fulfilling when you understand what’s happening.”
Deaf Coffee is a pop up event that travels nationally around the world. They move around to different states and different cities in each state. In Denton, this event happens every 3rd Saturday of each month. This is an event that allows the deaf community to interact with the hearing community in a social and relaxing environment while drinking coffee and perfecting their sign language skills.
Next year’s president of ASLHS, Willow Dallion also shared her experience with deaf coffee. “I learn many new signs from people I meet there. I also learn more about the culture and am able to use the language so I can keep practicing,” Dallion said.
If you are interested in the Deaf Coffee Event, ASLHS, or ASL club, here are some resources
- Check out insta: @aslhs.guyer, @guyer_asl
- Deaf coffee email: [email protected]
- Deaf coffee website: https://deafcoffee.com/listing-category/texas/
