With a flick of her wrist, Marian Arlanza tosses her long, brown hair from one side of her head to the other. She straightens her glasses. She gives a quick laugh, smiles and locks eyes – ready for her conversation to begin.
You speak, asking her a question about her decision to come here – to come to Bayside High School.
For the first time since meeting her, there is a second of hesitation.
Arlanza’s eyes don’t meet yours.
She turns her head ever so slightly – looking to her interpreter sitting just feet behind you.
Silent, the interpreter’s hands move purposefully through the air, punctuated by the turn of the hand or the exact point or curl of a finger.
Arlanza’s eyes are back – as is the smile.
“I knew I was going to be the only one hard of hearing (in the Health Sciences Academy),” she says.
Yet, the now high school junior did not let that dissuade her from not only coming to a brand new school, where she would know almost no one, but take part in the rigorous and demanding course load of the academy.
Arlanza has a hearing impairment that requires an interpreter in each of her classes. As a student at Corporate Landing Middle School, Arlanza knew the transition to high school was going to be difficult – no matter which school she went to.
“It’s always been a struggle,” she says. “Normal hearing children are able to keep up with what the teacher is saying. I’m always slow. It’s difficult for me.”
However, as Arlanza talked with more people and saw she shared a common interest in the health sciences field, she knew the academy would be the way to challenge and improve herself.
She is the first to admit her freshman year was a jolt – both personally and academically. Yet to find a circle of friends, and working to meet the expectations of her studies, Arlanza struggled.
Yet, when the whispers of doubt crawl up to the high-schooler, reminding her of the extra hurdles she would have to overcome not being able to hear, Arlanza’s approach is simple.
“I just ignore it,” she says. “I just pretend I can.”
Besides, she also carries with her the advice of her mother.
“My mom, she keeps saying, ‘Make your disability the best of your ability.’ She means, don’t let it limit you,” Arlanza explains.
Her approach has paid off.
Arlanza has flourished at Bayside – finding her “true friends,” enjoying her studies and even thinking of pursuing a career in emergency medicine.
“(Marian) works hard and does not allow her disability to slow her down. Other students do not recognize her as being any different,” said Terry Mejia, academy coordinator for the Health Sciences Academy. “She is not shy. She asks questions when she needs too. She never expects special treatment. She does not let anything stop her from doing anything she wants to do. “
If anything, Arlanza hopes her fellow students – those with disabilities or without – refuse to be held back from chasing their own dreams.
“Dare to be you,” Arlanza says. “You’ve got to be out there, you know? Don’t say, ‘I will let someone else do it.’ You’ve got to do it. I want people to feel empowerment in themselves. Show them what you’ve go. You have to keep going.”
October is National Disability History and Awareness Month. For more information about the services for students with disabilities, visit vbschools.com.
Marian comes to class prepared to work every class period. She is focused and diligent with her studies. I am not surprised that she was chosen for this award.