When sophomore Anna Kasper thinks about the new American Sign Language club she plans to lead, she feels excited to inform people about a part of her deaf culture.

“The ASL club is the American Sign Language Club. It’s for anyone who wants to learn American Sign Language, and about deaf culture,” Kasper said.

Kasper said the idea was inspired by a group she took part in over the summer.

“This summer I was working with a deaf and hard-of-hearing group. It was for hearing people and for deaf people. It was really awesome” Kasper said. “It gave me a chance to reconnect with my deaf culture, and gave me the idea to start the club.”

Junior Ilana Meisler said she wants to join the club to learn to improve communication with her friend.

“I wanted to join the club because I think it’s really important to communicate with this group of people. I also think that it can make communication easier between Anna and I,” Meisler said.

Kasper said she feels students should join for many reasons, including learning about different cultures.

“People should join because they would get to learn about a whole new culture, and it’s also really cool to learn sign language,” Kasper said. “I also think that people should just do it for fun.”

Meisler said she feels joining the club will help her better correspond with people in both the present and the future.

“I think it would better help me communicate with my friend and help me in the future to be able to communicate with people that are deaf, either in a work setting or any time,” Meisler said.

Meisler said she feels other students should join the club to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to better relate to people who are deaf.

“It can help other students learn to communicate with people who are deaf and can help them better understand people who are deaf,” Meisler said.

Kasper said she is unsure of the exact amount of students involved at this point, and students can join by attending a meeting.

The club meets after school on Mondays in adviser Annamarie Wilfhart’s room.