Kiera WolfeIn the fall of 2014, I took my first ASL class at ACC. Predicting the absolute love I would have for ASL, the Deaf community, and interpreting would have been impossible at that time. But with each progressing semester, I fell in love with ASL and interpreting increasingly more; I’ve never looked back. Since I started this program in high school, with a part time job and an outrageous commute as well, I struggled to get out into the Deaf community as much as I wanted. After I graduated high school, I immersed myself as much as possible, but still knew I could do more. With this scholarship being awarded to me in the fall of 2017, I was able to quit my part time job and focus on volunteer interpreting, professional development, and volunteering in the Deaf community. Additionally, I am currently serving as the president of Onward to Interpreting which offers professional development for students and interpreters as well as CEU’s. I am very grateful for this opportunity to focus on supporting the Deaf community through volunteering and developing my interpreting skills full time. Thank you ASLIT!

Colleen CultonI was very grateful to be awarded the ASLIT scholarship in 2014-2015. Winning the scholarship gave me resources to continue learning about the Deaf Community and American Sign Language. Having the support of the entire ASLIT department staff has been instrumental to my introduction and ongoing participation in this vibrant community. Thank you all!

Melissa MontemayorFrom day one of my first ASL class in Austin community College I began to feel this passion that I never felt before. I was an accounting major at a university were financial aid helped me get through for three years but then I met a Sign Language Interpreter. I switched majors the following semester. I fell in love with this beautiful language that I did not care I was paying out of pocket and commuting 2 hours each class day semester after semester. One of my many talented and respected professors advised me to apply for the ASLIT scholarship. She knew my story of how I am the first generation of my family to attend college, English is actually my second language, and well I had recently accept the role of surrogacy for a family member. After all, everyone deserves a family and I was sure willing to help them become parents. The problem here was how was I going to pay for tuition if I was working less because of the pregnancy? I did not want putting a semester or two off to be an option but then I received an email with great news. I had been chosen to receive the ASL Interpreting Scholarship. Because of this tremendous burden off my shoulders I was able to solely focus on school and the health of this baby. The parents and I cannot put into words how much this foundation has played a huge part in all four of our lives. I was able to further my education, the soon-to-be parents are able to look forward into parenthood knowing I am still pursuing my dream, and baby girl is as healthy as she can be. I am due in less than two months now but I am still here in this magnificent ASLIT program that has changed my life. This would not have been possible without the ASL Interpreting Scholarship. We will forever be grateful and nothing can stop me now from becoming a trilingual interpreter. Thank you.