March 31, 2016 5page Feature

The objective of the ASL class is to teach conversational American Sign Language.

American Sign Language (ASL) is a complete language that employs signs made by moving the hands combined with facial expressions and postures of the body. It is the primary language of many North Americans who are deaf and is one of several communication options used by people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.

“I want my students to be able to go out in the deaf community and be able to communicate with the deaf and hard of hearing,” ASL teacher Gillian Kilgore said.

She was contacted by the school district about the opening of the position to teach ASL.

“I thought that it was

awesome that they were wanting to offer this type of class,” she said. “I wanted to help KHS start up their ASL program and as they say, the rest is history.”

This class benefits the students by allowing them to dive into a whole new culture. The students are able to learn about the daily struggles and accomplishments of a minority.

One of the reasons sophomore Dehaven Grant chose the class is because he found it interesting and wanted to learn about the deaf culture.

“The things I’ve learned in that class I will be able to use in the real world and carry them throughout my life,” Grant said.

Grant explains that ASL is not just another elective.

“It’s a class that’s not only educational, but it’s fun,” he said. “It is a class that I recommend all incoming freshmen.”

Ms. Kilgore says that the biggest obstacle for her students is having to remember that ASL differs from English.

“Often when translating sentences from English to ASL, it looks weird to them,” she said.

She also believes that the class gives a positive influence to the students and sees a growth in the program.

“As my students grow in using their ASL, they will be able to connect better with the deaf culture,” she said. “My hope is after high school, some of my students become interpreters and deaf education teachers.”

This new class gives students the opportunity to help see the world outside of themselves as well as give a different perspective on a new group of people.

Students can use ASL as a foreign language credit.

Speaking with sign

Hands on • 1. Chassidy Slocum,10, chose to be in the ASL class this year.“I wanted to try something different,” she said. 2. Dehaven Grant grade, 10, sits and works on ASL. 3. Three classes of ASL Students gather in the library to listen to a speaker. He spoke to them about using ASL in everyday life, and how it made a difference in his life.

Ally VenableJunior Editor

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“We’ll Guide You Home!” Student Special:#5 with fries and a drink for $5.20

206 N Kilgore St.

Ethics: Why Honesty Matters

Mr. Mohn teaches World Geography and the new Project-Based learning class.

“My wife is the most trustworthy to me because I know her and she is completely herself. We don’t have to hide anything in our relationship,” Mohn said.

Photo by Anastasia Treat and Chloe Hillman.

Coach Pippen teaches Health and coaches football and baseball.

“Honesty goes a very long way. In my opinion, it is very important,” Pippen said.

Photo by by Lindsey Cassity and Aspen Baker.

Mrs. Morales is the receptionist in the front office.

“Honesty is very important. I’m trusted with money and kids here at school, so I have to be really honest,” Morales said.

Photo by Jasiaha Boaz and Hailey Brown.

Mrs. Littleton is the computer lab manager.

“Ms. Gilgan is the most trustworthy person I know because I’ve known her for twelve years,” Littleton said.

Photo by Sammy Kosel, Carley Ganus and Monica Sanchez.

Amy Bates’s Introduction to Digital Photography and Journalism classes recently interviewed teachers to better understand their position on honesty and trustworthiness. The students had just completed a study of the film Shattered Glass, the true story of reporter Stephen Glass. Glass fell from glory in the journalism world because he fabricated stories and lies and ruined the reputation of his magazine.

“We’ve been studying journalistic ethics in class, and I wanted them to see that every job and position requires honesty, not just journalism,” Mrs. Bates said. “I hope that when students leave my class, they are prepared for any career. Whether they become journalists or not, anyone can be successful as long as they put in hard work and realize that honesty and good character is important.”

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April Fools!

Favorite part? “My favorite thing about April Fool’s day is telling people it’s my birthday because it is the truth, but people think I am pranking them. It’s kind of like two pranks in one.”Advice for prankees? “If you are the unfortunate target of a prank, remember that it is all in fun, and usually they are committed by friends, rarely enemies.”

Charles LoePranking idea? “I’m going to ask out my crush, and when she rejects me, I’ll say, ‘Haha! Just kidding,’ and start crying.”

Jake Rockett, 12Madilynn Williams, 11

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Sophomores Marshall Tinkler and Denver Allen stand with their first place piece. The duo competed in the Kilgogh Art

Festival against Sabine ISD and Arp ISD with the “Kilgore Star” statue. The piece will be showcased around

Kilgore at different banks and businesses.Art instructors are Holly Harper and

Donna Mathis. Courtesy photo.

Best prank? “I texted my aunt and told her that the craziest thing happened to me, and I had gone to the bathroom, and there was a snake in the toilet, and it had bit me on the butt. She lives eight hours away, and she was on her way to the hospital.”This year’s prank? “I don’t have anything planned, but I know it’s going to be epic, definitely.”

Art students bring home firstin local show

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Students learn language in new class