In the heart of room B106 at Coppell High School Ninth Grade Center, the ASL Movie Club is hard at work filming its most recent project: an American Sign Language dubbed version of “Hansel and Gretel.” 

Co-presidents Eesha Jogdand and Charlotte Heer attribute their decision to start the club to ASL teacher Shannon Fitzgerald, a member of the Deaf community, inspired by her teaching transcending auditory instruction.  

“She taught us just like any teacher would,” Heer said. “To me, that matters a lot because she showed us that being deaf doesn’t mean you are any less than a hearing person.”

The club is currently working on its ASL dubbed film of “Hansel and Gretel,” a famed piece of folklore chosen for its universal appeal. 

“We had watched an ASL dubbed movie in our ASL class earlier this year, and Charlotte and I thought that we could do something similar,” Jogdand said.

However, undertaking the production of a movie is no small feat. The heavy workload of making this film means work has to be split among the club members. There are groups for costumes, props and supplies. 

“Creating a film like this is not a one person job,” Jogdand said. “Everyone works hard, collaborates and chimes in with ideas.” 

To Jogdand, Heer and Fitzgerald, the ASL Movie Club brings awareness and advocates for the Deaf community. 

“I learned during the 2024 Super Bowl, the sign language interpreter for the national anthem was not displayed on live television,” Jogdand said. “You had to go to a completely different link to view it.” 

Heer thinks here should be more accommodations in place for people that are deaf or hard of hearing on a local scale.

“Our morning announcements could have subtitles,” Heer said. “If there is a deaf person in the school, they can’t understand what is happening without them.” 

The club is seeking ways to highlight its work at CHS9 and further contribute to inclusivity for the Deaf community. 

“We are talking with the CHS9 library to play our movie on the TV’s once it is finished,” Jogdand said. “We also want to show it on the morning announcements during advisory, so it reaches as many people as possible.” 

Jogdand, Heer and Fitzgerald wanted the club to be a place where people could come to learn about ASL, despite not having any experience. 

“These students had no prior experience in ASL before joining this club and my class,” Fitzgerald said. “They joined because they were motivated to make a difference.” 

The “Hansel and Gretel” adaptation’s completion date is in April, but Jogdand and Heer are already brainstorming future projects and collaboration ideas. 

“We are talking to the A/V tech department at CHS9 to collaborate with them on future projects,” Jogdand said.

As the club grows, Jogdand and Heer anticipate more project and teamwork opportunities.

“Their dedication and passion for this club is truly admirable, and I’m glad we are working together to support such an important mission,” Jogdand said. 

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