Deaf Awareness Month is recognized every September. South Hills is the only high school in the Covina Valley Unified School District with the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) program. It is important for the South Hills community to recognize Deaf awareness month to promote the rights and inclusion of Deaf individuals and raise awareness about the unique culture and language of the Deaf community.
I am also in the DHH program, as I am hard of hearing. The DHH program helps me communicate with hearing individuals, encourages responsibility, and raises awareness in the community.
DHH teacher Mingchen Yang was born hearing, and she became deaf at eight months old. She teaches math and science and has been an educator at South Hills High School for 10 years.
“I feel so proud because I accept who I am as being Deaf. ASL is my proud language because I am able to express who I am. Being Deaf connects me to a rich language and culture. Do not treat them [deaf people] differently. Treat them with respect. Do not talk too slowly to people who do know sign,” Yang said.
Emilio Cabrera (11) is a hard-of-hearing junior at South Hills High School and is a member of the Husky Signers club and Spanish club.
“I feel good about being hard-of-hearing because I know God created me like that. I want the community to know we may be different, but we’re all the same. We are all human,” Cabrera said.
Francisco Morales (12) is a deaf senior at South Hills and is a member of the football, track, and wrestling teams.
“I wanted to join football because it’s like family, it made me stronger. I gained friends, and the best part, we win our games. I want the community to know Deaf and hard-of-hearing people can play football too. The community must know that anyone is welcomed,” Morales said.
