Homeschool Class Sparked Sophie Rice’s Love for ASL, and She Never Looked Back
Sophie Rice’s first experience with American Sign Language (ASL) was a class in her homeschool co-op. She loved it, prompting her mother to suggest taking a College Credit Plus class at Owens Community College.
Rice decided to pursue that passion at Owens, enrolling in the ASL Interpreting program. Now, that path will lead her to graduating in May with her associate degree in the ASL Interpreter Preparation Program and as the program’s outstanding graduate.
Rice knew interpreting would be hard but she admitted she wasn’t prepared for how hard it would be, causing her to struggle at first and even consider quitting. With the help of her family and instructors, she found a way through.
“My teacher encouraged me and told me that it would just take time as I got better and better,” Rice said. “God really made a way for me to get this degree and work in this field.”
Rice, of Genoa, gave a lot of credit to ASL Interpreting instructor Anita Coleman for her encouragement before she enrolled and during the course.
“I never knew how amazing the Deaf community was before she taught me all about it and introduced me to that world,” Rice said. “I could not have done it without her, and not just because she created the program. She is an amazing teacher, the best I have ever had.”
After she graduates, Rice hopes to become an education interpreter and work in a school while learning more about ASL Interpreting and the Deaf community.
Learn More About the American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreting Program
Learn More About the College Credit Plus (CCP) Program
Published May 2026