Lily Pierce Finds Her Calling in Sign Language

The expressive nature of sign language resonates with Lily, who is captivated by its ability to connect people and communicate emotion. “Hearing people don’t always connect that emotion with their words and expressions,” she said. “Learning ASL really changed my perspective and how I see communication.”

Lily’s outlook was solidified when her American Sign Language (ASL) class took a full-immersion trip to Gallaudet University in Washington D.C., a school uniquely designed to accommodate Deaf and hard-of-hearing students. There Lily and her class experienced the power of vocal silence, using only their ASL to communicate. Absorbed in Gallaudet’s friendly and welcoming community, the opportunity stuck with Lily and motivated her to support accessibility for, and awareness of, the Deaf community.

A career in ASL interpretation

Lily has a lot of paths to choose from that will align with her interest in a career in ASL interpretation, including medical and legal interpretation, or education. Right now, she’s leaning toward helping kids, and may pursue a future in education. But first, she needs to pursue her own education in order to get there.

Lily is seventeen, and soon will graduate from Williamstown High School. She’s headed to Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in the fall and will be studying ASL there. Her interest in ASL was first kindled in middle school, when she started taking ASL classes. She continued through high school, and this year was even able to take a few Early College classes through Norwich University to get postsecondary experience in ASL.

Motivated by RIT’s tough but rewarding curriculum, Lily is looking forward to her new school. She visited RIT twice and fell in love with the campus and community, and she says that the college is welcoming, with a good reputation and learning environment.

Figuring out the college application and financial aid process as a first-generation student

As a first-generation college student, Lily found navigating the college search and financial aid process daunting. “My parents didn’t go to college,” she said, “so we really relied on my VSAC counselor, Chelsea Martin, for the whole list of things we had to do and think about.” Chelsea works as an outreach counselor in VSAC’s Talent Search program, which helps modest income, first-generation students explore opportunities after high school. Lily began meeting with Chelsea during her sophomore year at Williamstown.

Lily and Chelsea brainstormed ideas and plans. Chelsea suggested Early College as a way for Lily to get some college credits and course experience. Junior year, they worked in earnest, meeting monthly and making a list of colleges with strong ASL programs that might fit what Lily was looking for. “Senior year, I needed extra help,” Lily laughed. “I was reaching out to Chelsea all the time and checking in.”

That help continued through the application process; Lily applied to eight different colleges. Chelsea helped her work through the financial aid paperwork and identified several scholarships from the VSAC Scholarship Booklet for which Lily could apply. Lily is waiting to hear back on a few of her scholarship applications; however, she received a workable financial aid package from RIT and feels comfortable with what she might need to take out in student loans, and her ability to pay them off after graduation.

A supportive family and a love of learning

Lily’s parents are incredibly supportive, encouraging her to pursue this dream and to apply for the scholarships that will help her get there. “I’ve always kind of known I would go to college,” Lily said. “I knew I would want to keep doing school, stay engaged, and keep learning.”

That love of learning is something she fosters in younger children as well. She loves working with kids and coaches third and fourth grade girls’ basketball for the local AAU program, in addition to high school commitments, including the athletic leadership committee, basketball, track and field, and yearbook.

When Lily heads to college in the fall, she knows she’ll stay engaged and motivated in her academics. She’s looking forward to having a little self-determined free time as well, and says she can’t wait for the opportunity to experience something new and different!