For the last 10 years, there has been a unique display of the national anthem at the annual Homecoming game. American Sign Language (ASL) students have had the opportunity to perform the national anthem by signing it while the band and choir students perform. On Friday, Oct. 13, this tradition continued once more, and brought with it something new.

Along with the national anthem, ASL students also signed the alma mater, which was only interpreted last year. The graduating ASL students last year signed the alma mater at graduation, and this year, the students were able to perform both the alma mater and the national anthem.

“I think it’s a really good experience for all of the kids to be able to come out here and feel apart of what is Westwood,” Ms. Dorothy Radebaugh said. “I mean, I think I have the most fun students of everybody on campus, we just have fun and learn the language and the culture.”

The performance is always unique for every group. Not only do the ASL students sign the national anthem, but they also get the chance to perform with the band and choir. This performance gives every person access to the national anthem, whether they are deaf or hearing, and students are able to learn something new while helping accommodate others.

“It’s important to still have the culture of signing the national anthem, but people that are deaf also need to hear and see what we’re doing,” Mia Cuellar ‘21 said.

ASL also gives students a special opportunity for languages. It has its own culture and community, uniting deaf people from every walk of life. Students learn not just about signs, but also about Deaf culture and how life is different without hearing. Deafness isn’t seen as a disability; it’s just like learning a language but with your body instead.

“I chose to take ASL because for my future career I want to be a sign language interpreter,” Carolina Garcia ‘19 said. “My friends knew a little bit of sign language, and when I saw how amazing it was, how you can communicate with just your hands and facial expressions and body movement, it was kind of something that pulled me in, so I just wanted to do something with it.”

Overall, students were able to not only perform, but also forge a connection with sign language in a way many before them had. This 10 year tradition creates a fun learning activity for students and can help many deaf people in the crowd feel connected and included. The performance made the Homecoming game just a little bit sweeter and started it off on a high note.