ASL teacher Jen Niner couldn’t be prouder of her students’ performance
Jen Niner, ASL teacher at Community and Skyline High Schools, is still overwhelmed with pride following Tuesday night’s performance at the University of Michigan basketball game. She says her students shined in front of thousands of fans in what she describes as an incredible experience for everyone involved.
“Performing at the University of Michigan basketball game was nothing short of amazing!” she said, noting that it was her students’ best performance in years. “The ASL 3/4 students from Community were perfect! I am still beaming with pride!”
“This was the group’s first time performing at a U-M game, and it was by far the biggest venue they’ve ever performed at,” she said, noting that her 30 ASL 3/4 students from Community High School practiced diligently for three weeks, perfecting every sign, every movement, every expression. “And all that hard work paid off spectacularly!”
Niner also brought five students from Skyline High School’s Choir program who sang the National Anthem: Eleanor Wing (’26) Margaret Sansburn (’26) Mason Ruhfel (’27) Louis Grengs (’27); and Shekinah Chikosi (’28).
After finishing and making their way to their seats to watch the game, two Deaf men came over to the group to say how impressed they were. When Niner’s students let them know she was a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), the conversation became even more meaningful.
“They made my entire night,” Niner said. “This is why we do what we do! Give access to people who can’t hear.”
American Sign Language (ASL) is taught at Scarlett Middle School as ASL 1, and taught at Community, Pioneer and Skyline High Schools with levels 1-4.
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