EDISON — A group of Middlesex County College (MCC) students were honored for their volunteer work at the New Jersey Deaf Fest this year.
Twelve members of the college’s American Sign Language (ASL) Club received certificates of appreciation on Dec. 12 for their efforts at the Sept. 21-22 event.
Lorraine Saldarini, a volunteer coordinator for the celebration, presented the certificates on behalf of Deaf Fest and its co-chairpersons, Lauren Lercher and Charlotte Karras. The ceremony was held in the lobby of the college library.
The ceremony was witnessed by 20 people, including many students taught by ASL instructor Darlene Sarnouski, who is also a volunteer coordinator for Deaf Fest. Also in attendance was Professor Margaux Gray, who teaches ASL at the college.
Brianne Tumblety and Maria Mero, copresidents of the ASL Club, organized the volunteer opportunity with the support of the club advisor, Professor Martin Samelson.
Four thousand people from the tri-state area attended Deaf Fest.
“That weekend, Bri, Maria and the volunteers worked really hard,” Samelson said. “I am so proud to be associated with this group of students.”
Deaf Fest is a main event of Deaf Awareness Week, celebrated in September since its debut in 1993.
“I am happy to be here to present these 12 awards to our volunteers at Deaf Fest,” Saldarini said during the ceremony. “I am so glad that there are so many people here to witness this. I hope that people from various colleges come to Deaf Fest in two years to join in the fun.”