Chuck Baird's artwork, showing a person signing ART with several art stylo flying around in the dark.

Celebrate Your Students' Successes

The ASL Honor Society proudly recognizes the dedication and achievements of student members, especially in the areas of American Sign Language study and volunteer service to the Deaf community. Graduating seniors can showcase their commitment with our official stole, a vibrant symbol to be worn over their graduation gown. Exceptional students may also be eligible for medals for outstanding performance in ASL academics and contributions to the Deaf and signing community. To receive one or more of these honors, students must meet the minimum eligibility requirements, including GPA in eligible ASL coursework (ASL language, ASL literature, and Deaf studies; interpretation coursework is not eligible) and community service hours. For any honors to be conferred, a student must attend a campus with an active ASLHS chapter and have a sponsor who is in good standing with the ASLTA. Students should contact their school’s ASLHS sponsor(s) for qualification details and to help celebrate their signing journey as they embark on their next chapter.

Graduation Coordinator: Melissa Ibanez

As the graduation coordinator, I’m always thrilled to see students engage with ASL and Deaf community in exciting ways. That’s why I highly recommend encouraging your ASL Honor Society student members to participate in ASLHS’s exciting programmings, such as ASL literature and art competitions. Even more, motivating students to go beyond their ASL learning and immerse themselves in the Deaf and ASL community outside of the classroom. These offer a unique opportunity for students to explore their artistic talents while broadening their knowledge and skills in ASL. 

It is always inspiring to witness the incredible work they produce and their commitment to excel in their study in ASL. 

For more information, contact ASLHS’s Graduation Coordinator, Melissa Ibanex. Email: ASLHS.gradship@ASLTA.org

Ready to Order?

We are excited you’re ready to shop our graduation and honor materials for your students to celebrate their success in ASL learning. ASL Honor Society materials are only available to chapter sponsors in good standing.

ASLHS chapter sponsors are required to log in to their ASLTA member account in order to access the online store. If the button below does not take you to the store, it is because you are not logged in to your member account.

If you prefer to purchase by check or purchase order, download the order form below and follow the instructions.

Graduated student wearing graduation robe with ASLHS stole and honor medal.

Four Honors

ASLHS recognizes outstanding academic achievement in ASL studies with four honors:

• Honor Cords
• Alice Cogswell Medal
• Laurent Clerc Medal
• Andrew Foster Medal

To receive one or more honors, students must meet the minimum eligibility requirements for each, including GPA and community service hours. For any honors to be conferred, a student must attend a campus with an active ASLHS chapter and have a sponsor who is in good standing with the ASLTA. For grade point average computation, eligible ASL coursework includes ASL language, ASL literature, and deaf studies. Interpretation coursework is not eligible.

Honor Cords

The red, white, and blue honor cords can be worn at graduation or induction ceremonies if the student meets these eligibility requirements:

    1. Is a student at a high school or post-secondary institution.
    2. Has studied ASL for at least two years.
    3. Possesses at least B’s in all ASL coursework.
    4. Possesses an overall GPA of 3.0 in all other coursework.
    Alice Cogswell Medal

    The Alice Cogswell Medal may be worn at graduation or induction ceremonies if the student meets these eligibility requirements:

      1. Is a high school, community college, or four-year college/university student.
      2. Has studied ASL for at least two years / two semesters.
      3. Possesses at least B’s in all ASL coursework.
      4. Possesses an overall GPA of 3.0 in all other coursework.
      5. Completion of at least five (5) hours of community services that benefit the Deaf and ASL community.
      Laurent Clerc Medal

      The Laurent Clerc Medal is the only ASLHS honor open to ASL students at both the high school and college levels if the following eligibility requirements are met:

      1. Is a high school, community college, or four-year college/university student.
      2. Has studied ASL for at least two years/2 semesters.
      3. Possesses A’s & B’s in ASL coursework.
      4. Possesses an overall grade point average of 3.0 in all other coursework.
      5. Completion of at least ten (10) hours of community service that benefits the deaf community.
        Andrew Foster Medal

        For students 6th-8th grade in their 2nd year of ASL, or 2nd semester of ASL 1 if only one year of ASL is offered.

        1. Possesses A’s and B’s in ASL 1 (1st semester and beyond)
        2. Possesses an overall GPA of 3.0 in other course coursework
        3. Completion of an ASL/Deaf Studies related project (optional, based on teacher’s requirement/expectation)
          Stole

          Stole may be worn at graduation if the student have exceed the minimum study length requirement:

          • Has studied ASL for two years/two semesters or more.

            ASLHS Membership

            Our graduation materials are available only to our ASLHS sponsors. If you are interested in becoming a new sponsor for your school, please click the button below to learn more about how to become a sponsor today.

            ASLHS Shop

            Ready to make your orders? Great! Click the button below to view our ASLHS shop. The shop is available only for our ASLHS members. If you’re our fabulous sponsor, please log in to your ASLTA account before trying to view the shop. 

            Who we are.

            ASLTA is a national professional organization of American Sign Language and Deaf studies teachers. Our mission is to perpetuate, preserve, and promote American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Culture through excellence in teaching. Membership in ASLTA is open to teachers of American Sign Language, Deaf Studies and related professions, including individuals who support the goals of the organization. ASLTA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported by the generosity of its individual and organizational members and donors.

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