As we began out Connections to Community courses I felt completely overwhelmed by

all the requirements and expectations of the course. I had been required to participate in Deaf
community events in the past, but it had never been for more than 3 hours. Also the idea of
finding a Deaf mentor was terrifying, because although I knew several people in the Deaf
community, there wasnt anyone who I felt completely comfortable with asking. Yet because I
did do the extra service hours and did get outside my comfort zone to find a mentor, looking
back I can see how beneficial it was for me.
Mentoring
Over the course of the program I have had two specific mentors, Carolann Darger and
Cherie Hodson. Both from whom I learned a great deal. I mentored with Carolann during the
first semester of the program and at times I was very frustrated with how our mentoring sessions
went, but as I think back, there was still a great deal that I learned from her.
Almost every week I learned a few new signs from Carolann and she was always patient
when explaining their English equivalent and how to use them. One of the things that always
frustrated me was that if I presented a specific topic I wanted to discuss, such as Deaf culture or
education, she would often veer off topic and I could never get her back on the original subject.
At the time it frustrated me considerably, however looking back I can see the benefits. Carolann
likes to talk and tell stories and because I was accustomed to the more precise style of my
teachers, Carolann was often difficult to understand. By continuously watching and talking with
her I was better able to understand her style and I know realize this is an important skill because
every Deaf person has a different style, and not everyone always sighs in a very clear manner.
Mentoring with Cherie Hodson has been a wonderful experience, not only because she
has a great deal of experience working with students, but because she is a wonderful person. She

was able to help me improve several of my videos so that they were more ASL than English.
Another enormous benefit has been to talk with her about her childhood and experiences with the
Deaf community. Its one thing to read about someones experience in a text book, but another to
actually talk to the person who experienced them.
As a slight side note, in mentoring with Cherie it has also been interesting to see how in
spite of everything against them, both Cherie and her husband have been able to find success in
life. Again in our text books we read how Deaf people are oppressed and often end up trapped in
life. I know they have both had struggles I cant even begin to understand, but the fact that even
with those challenges they have become successful educationally, socially, and financially, I find
to be inspirational and proof that Deaf people are just as capable as all the hearing people telling
them they cant do something because they are deaf.
Peer Reflection
Peer reflection was something that always made me nervous, but as time progressed I
started getting excited about what I would share and what I would learn. Anytime something
particularly interesting happened in a mentoring session I would make note of it so that I could
share it. For the first part of the first semester I honestly dreaded watching everyones videos.
Partially because I knew it would take a long time and partially because I would sometimes
watch a video and think to myself Are my reception skills that bad? Or is their signing that
incomprehensible? I realize it was a little of both, but it always made me hesitant to watch
everyones videos.
Now that we all have become more comfortable showing our videos, but also watching
each others videos, I can see how much we have all improved. Before it was a challenge to
come up with enough things and signs to fill the required time, and now we have to be careful to

not go over the maximum time allowed. Watching all the most recent videos I can see how we
all have improved in our ability to use ASL and its honestly very exciting to see the growth that
has taken place. Also receiving feedback from everyone has been helpful, especially when
someone says they had a similar experience or that they hadnt thought of looking at something
the way someone else described it. As much as I disliked it in the beginning, I can see how much
doing it has helped us learn, improve our skills, and become closer as a class.
Service Learning Project
At the time that we began looking for some type of Service Learning Project I wondered
to myself why we didnt just look to see what events were happening in the Deaf Community in
the next few month and simply volunteer at one of those events. It seemed to me about the same
thing, we would just be required to have more service hours and maybe be more involved in set
up and such. Now that I have actually experienced a SLP I can see how there is much more to it
than simply volunteering.
As we decided that our project would be to work with the Sego Lily Center for the
Abused Deaf on their Cycling Heroes Against Abuse event, and discussed with Ayas what he
needed, it was rather overwhelming the responsibilities that would be expected from us. I had no
idea how we would be able to accomplish some of the things asked of us, especially looking for
sponsors. I had never done anything like that and found the idea of going out and asking for
donations very daunting. Ironically I was put with the group that would be helping with PR and
that including helping with sponsors. I was not particularly thrilled with the idea and was
perfectly willing to allow Greg to take the lead on our team.
Surprising to me, that did not end up being the case. First of all because it was a friend of
mine designing the new flyer for the event and I was a go between for much of it as things were

approved or needed changing. The other reason was because I had some interactions with
members of the LDS Deaf ward I frequently had the opportunity to talk with Ayas. Because of
this he regularly asked me to pass information on to the other students, or when he needed help
with visiting sponsors he would continually ask me to come until I found a free period that I
could go with to interpret. At first I found this very annoying, but I realized that I needed to
allow myself to be more willingly involved or else there was no point in my participating at all.
Interpreting
I have to admit I was completely terrified to go with Ayas to interpret. Partially because I
dont approach people to talk with them unless I have to, and partially because I was doubting
my own skill. I knew that I had improved considerably, but I worried that I would freeze up. I
remembered what we had discussed in class about Control and Demand and also about matching
the signer/speakers register, so before heading out I asked Ayas if there were specific English
words he would like me to use in order to correctly match the intent of what he signed. At first
he answered that whatever I picked would be fine, but after some consideration he went over
some signs and phrases and explained his preference in interpretation. We also went over how he
would introduce himself, Sego Lily, and his reason for asking about sponsorship. I was much
more confident, and relaxed, after having a clearer idea of what Ayass expectations were.
I had an interesting epiphany while Ayas and I were out meeting people. It was while we
were at Costco talking with the woman responsible for donations. I noticed that the woman was
looking to me for cues on how she should react and respond. At that moment I realized that I was
in a position of power, and although Ayas can communicate very well without an interpreter, I
was still in control of this particular situation. I suddenly understood why it was there have been
so many mentions in our textbooks about interpreters being in a position of power and are

sometimes resented by members of the Deaf community. The realization shocked me and was
very sobering as I thought about how I would have to be careful not to abuse that position.
Another epiphany that occurred was while Ayas and I were driving to the next place to
ask about sponsorship. Ayas asked me a question, I honestly dont remember what about, I think
it had something to do with the music that was playing on the radio, but his response when I told
him that I didnt know anything about what he was asking really surprised me. After telling him
that I did not know he turned to me in surprise and asked Why dont you know? You can hear
cant you? There had been other times he had teased me for not knowing something that I
obviously wouldnt know, but this time was different. He was partially teasing, but he really was
surprised that I didnt know. After thinking about the conversation for a while it dawned on me
that even though Ayas can hear quite a bit and can verbally communicate with most people, there
was still that part of him that assumed that because I could hear it meant I knew more than he
did. It honestly made me sad that someone as capable and independent would make that
assumption even if it probably was not conscience. It is simply something that has become
ingrained within most Deaf people.
The Event
I was so excited for the cycling event to take place. Because of all the involvement I had
had over the last few months I really wanted it to be successful. Once I arrived it was great to see
so many people setting up whom I had gotten to know during the time leading up to that day.
Many were people from the Deaf community whom I had seen in passing and maybe talked with
once or twice, but never really gotten to know. Now I am able to joke and tease with many of
these people, a social point I had been struggling to get reach previously. I was even more
excited when participants began to arrive and I knew many of them. One group included my

Deaf mentor Cherie and her family. I was so excited to see her. As I talked with all these people I
knew, in the back of my mind it occurred to me that it was one thing for me tell these people that
I participated in the Deaf community, and something completely different for them to come to
an event and actually see me participating. Having that kind of an impression is going to make a
big difference when I begin my internship and later become certified because I am showing that I
am sincere in my desire to be part of the Deaf community.
Looking Back
As I think back to everything that occurred while preparing for this even I realize just
how important this event ended up being for me and how much I wanted it to succeed. I also
realized just how important it was for us in the class to work as a team. For one person to be
solely responsible for everything would have been nearly impossible and likely lead to an
emotional break-down. But because we had things split up everyone had something that they
could handle. So long as we communicated what we were all doing everything went smoothly
and there was no reason to feel as though we were trying to one-up someone else. We each had
our own weight to pull and by doing so supported the others.
If I had to do it all over again I honestly think most things I would do the same. I only
wish I had been able to fit more time in to work with my mentor. That is the one thing that I
would go back and change because I learned so much from talking with Cherie and was able to
practice my language skills in a non-class environment. Most everything else I would do the
same. I would still have asked my friend to do the flyer and get that ball rolling. I would also
have gone to interpret for Ayas just as much as I did. It was such an incredible experience, and
even though it didnt always go perfectly smooth, I gained considerable amounts of confidence
from doing it. I am unbelievably grateful for all the people I was able to work with and interact

with because of doing this project. I have grown in confidence and increased my circle of
contacts in a way I never imagined, and I have gained new friends from it as well.