Ayala High School celebrates honors ASL seniors and their achievements

Under the bright lights of the Chino Valley Unified School District's boardroom, a sense of pride filled the air as educators and board members gathered to celebrate the achievements of students in the American Sign Language (ASL) program. Christie Hurst, a dedicated teacher, took a moment to honor the remarkable accomplishments of the honors ASL 4 seniors, highlighting one student who received the prestigious President's Award.

The ASL club's recent show was a resounding success, attracting over 700 attendees and raising funds for the Sandin S. Larson ASL Club Foundation. This foundation honors the legacy of Sandin Larson, a deaf alumnus of Ayala High School, who inspired the creation of the ASL program. His vision was simple yet profound: to enable his peers to communicate in his native language. Larson's journey continued as he led the sign language department at Mt. San Antonio College, leaving a lasting impact on students pursuing ASL-related fields.

Hurst proudly shared that five honors ASL 4 students were recognized by the Inland Empire Foreign Language Association for their outstanding achievements. Eight students from this graduating class are set to enter ASL-related careers, with three planning to minor in ASL. Collectively, the ASL 4 senior class has earned an impressive 372 college units through their program, embodying resilience, ambition, and excellence.

As Hurst concluded her heartfelt tribute, she expressed her pride in teaching alongside such talented individuals. "Congratulations to the entire senior class," she said, urging them to be safe, respectful, and responsible as they embark on their next adventures.

The meeting, however, took a turn as board member Christie Hurst shifted focus to a pressing concern that she felt warranted the attention of everyone present. The discussions that followed promised to address significant issues affecting the district, ensuring that the meeting would continue to engage and inform all in attendance.