The American Sign Language Honor Society (ASLHS)  is an opportunity for ASL students to gain recognition for high academic achievement in their study of ASL. The ASL Honor Society's primary mission is to encourage and recognize high academic achievement in ASL studies for high school and college/university students. Recognition takes the form of honor cords, worn at graduation, as well as the Laurent Clerc Medal, awarded each year to a student who has studied ASL for a minimum of 2 years.

 

In addition to high academic achievement, members of the ASLHS are required to perform community service in their local Deaf community, which enhances their ASL skills in addition to developing character and citizenship.. Like honor societies for other languages, the ASLHS seeks to enrich the overall learning experience of those studying ASL. Some of the programs offered by the ASL Honor Society include:

 

•     Awarding honor cords and medals based on academic achievement

•     Encouraging students to use ASL within the local community through service learning

•     Participating in the annual ASL Literature competition, featuring cash prizes

•     Awarding competitive scholarships to students who will be studying ASL in college

 

All ASL students can benefit from high expectations in their ASL studies. Students who model the FHS motto of "Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve" take pride in having their hard work recognized through honor cords or the Alice Cogswell and Laurent Clerc medals.

 

In 2010, the ASLHS began administering the first national-level scholarships for ASL students pursuing further education in the field of ASL, Deaf Studies, and Deaf education. High school and college students are eligible to apply for these scholarships if ASLHS chapters are located on their campuses. For more information on the ASL Scholarship, click here.

 

The ASL Honor Society is a program offered by ASLTA, the national organization for ASL teachers.