I started learning American Sign Language at 15, and by 17, I was volunteering as an ASL interpreter at the Texas Book Festival. At 19, I spent 20 months working with a Deaf woman at Ulta Beauty as her interpreter and supervisor. Since then, I’ve continued my love for ASL at UT Austin, completing two semesters of coursework.

To the left is my name sign! It was given to me by Melanny, my Deaf coworker at Ulta Beauty. It combines the sign for music with the letter P.