Samantha Gonzalez

“I know a little bit of Spanish because everyone on my dad’s side of the family were born and raised in Mexico and Spain. My dad was born in America but speaks a little bit of Spanish. I know enough to survive but not a lot. People don’t realize that I am Latina, so I will start speaking Spanish and my accent will come out and they will be like ‘What!’ It helps me feel a little more connected with my Hispanic roots. I also am taking ASL (American Sign Language). This is my fourth year in the class and I also partake in the club. You have to have a lot of confidence. You can’t speak, you have to sign, so it is all about facial expressions. I really like it- it’s different and unique. It’s not something everyone can do. It makes me want to pursue something in this field. I have always like ASL, even before I started taking it, I was always seeing it when I went to concerts and conventions. Once I started taking the class, it touched me and made me realize that this is something that I want to do. After I graduate, I want to become a certified interpreter and then go to law school so that I can be a lawyer for the deaf.”