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American sign language will be used exclusively
A student group at Baker College of Flint has planned two events designed to bring together those interested in American Sign Language (ASL): a signing social, Saturday, April 27, and ASL Power!, a collection of short stories, skits, poems and songs performed in ASL, Friday-Saturday, May 17-18, with performances in Flint and Livonia. The public is invited.

Jessica Emberton, President of the student Hands in Motion ASL Club at Baker College of Flint, said that the events are designed for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, professional ASL interpreters and trainers, students training to become ASL interpreters, and others interested in ASL.

“These events will create a social environment in which attendees can network with others and enjoy the art of ASL,” said Emberton, who will complete an associate degree in interpreter training at Baker College in August.

She is especially excited about the prospect of meeting ASL instructors and students from the other four colleges in Michigan that offer interpreter training programs. “This is the first time we’ve had the opportunity to meet,” Emberton said. “We’ll be able to demonstrate collaboration among those providing ASL services.”

Baker College offers interpreter-training programs at its campuses in Flint, Auburn Hills, and Muskegon. Other Michigan educational institutions with such programs are Mott Community College, Oakland Community College, Lansing Community College, and Madonna University.

“At the signing social, everyone will get a puzzle piece when they arrive,” Emberton said. “Their assignment is to locate people with the adjoining pieces. The puzzle theme also represents the coming together of the different interpreter training programs in the state. It will be a great way to meet many people communicating only by using sign language.

The signing social is 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, April 27, in rooms S128 and S130, Engineering and Computer Technology Center, Baker College of Flint, 1050 W. Bristol Road, Flint.

The registration deadline is 5 p.m., Thursday, April 24. Call 810.766.2023 or email the Hands In Motion ASL Club.

ASL Power! features 15 members of the Flint-area deaf and hard-of-hearing communities who perform short stories, skits, poems and songs entirely in ASL. No English interpretation is provided except for the master of ceremony’s commentary.

The performance is the brainchild of Baker College student Rosina Switras who is hard of hearing. She is also a member of Hands in Motion and serves as a tutor for Baker’s associate- and bachelor’s-degree interpreter training programs.

Tickets are $10 each. Performances are at 7 p.m.:

Friday, May 17, in Flint: Baker College of Flint Campus Auditorium, 1050 W. Bristol Road. Tickets are available at Brown Paper Tickets.

Saturday, May 18, in Livonia: Madonna University Kresge Hall, 36600 Schoolcraft Street. Tickets are available at Brown Paper Tickets.

“ASL Power! is a heart-warming and humorous show,” said Bonnie Massoud, Coordinator for the Interpreter Training program at Baker College of Flint and advisor to the Hands in Motion ASL Club. “It is Deaf Culture at its finest. Mastery of ASL and skillful storytelling are highly valued by the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.”

Massoud credits members of Hands in Motion ASL Club for their work and dedication to these projects. “The club was just established a year ago,” she said. “These are huge events and many aspects of them have never been tried or accomplished in the state previously.”

For more information, contact Bonnie Massoud at (810) 766-2023 or visit Facebook.com/HandsInMotionASLClub.