Barstow offers a variety of languages students may take throughout middle school and upper school. Classes in world languages offered include Spanish, French, and Chinese. This year, students started an American Sign Language (ASL) club to provide students with another language to learn. Those interested in joining the club should go to Dr. Root’s room on Fridays during flex.

Kat Somogie (‘25), founder and president of the ASL Club at Barstow, stated, “I started the ASL club because I have always been interested in learning ASL. I also started an ASL club at my old school, and it has always been something that I am eager to learn.”

Having the opportunity to learn American Sign Language without using up a class period for a semester to do so is incredibly beneficial. Educational clubs allow students to pursue an interest or hobby without worrying about finding the time to do so outside of school and without replacing other classes. Barstow’s new ASL club is a fantastic way for students to interact with each other while learning a new language.

ASL is a fascinating language that is very useful to know in the outside world. Learning another language looks great on college applications and resumes, and allows for more diverse communication. Being able to communicate with more people in the world than you previously could is a marvelous thing. Knowing American Sign Language could come in handy if one ever needs to communicate with someone else who knows ASL. 

No prior experience or knowledge of American Sign Language is needed to join the ASL club. Anyone is welcome to join meetings and participate in discussions. The ASL club at Barstow welcomes a diverse group of students. 

Somogie (‘25) emphasizes, “We have a multitude of different backgrounds in ASL. We have members who are just now learning, people who have had friends who were deaf, people who have taken years of ASL, and people somewhere in between!” More Barstow students should join the club to learn a new skill. Anytime Barstow students have the opportunity, they should increase their participation in clubs and activities at school.

The ASL club at Barstow is a great way to encourage student-led discussion and participation. If students want to try learning a new language, they may find it helpful to do so at their leisure, instead of dealing with the stress of grades. Barstow is unique in that all clubs are student-led, and students should take advantage of the opportunity to learn a new language through ASL club.”