Hope Murapa and Isaiah Lopez Signing Their Way to Sucess

Hope Murapa, ’25, and Isaiah Lopez, ’27 discuss what it is like having an interpreter with them at school and the challenges and benefits that come along with it.

By: Sophia Rexhepi

High school is a pivotal time in a teenager’s life. There’s a lot of pressure put on students that forces them to learn responsibility. You have to get good grades, make lots of friends, and be swamped with homework but also make sure you’re on time to practice. The stress is immense.

Being in high school gets even more stressful when the silence is deafening. Isaiah Lopez and Hope Murapa are two deaf students at Redwood who have interpreters who come with them to school to make their academic journey a little easier and take away the stress that comes with being a high school student.

Hope Murapa, ’25 has been deaf her whole life. Murapa went through her previous years at Redwood without an interpreter. However, this year she decided that she wanted an interpreter to become prepared for college and overall have a better learning experience.

Murapa has struggled with judgments that may come from her disability. Murapa says, “Last year I went without an interpreter because I didn’t want people to know I was deaf but I realized in college it’s gonna be a lot harder without an interpreter because classes are more crowded.”

Murapa recalls that last year was a bit of a struggle. Murapa says, “I struggled a lot without an interpreter. I was able to get by because I have the ability to do things alone but it was a lot of mental stress on me.”

Murapa was fearful of bringing an interpreter due to her childhood fears. Murapa says, “I thought I would be judged I was definitely scared. It’s mostly just a childhood fear of mine that people would treat me differently.”

Despite Murapa’s fears, she is slowly overcoming them. Murapa says, “Now I’m just trying to get over my fear of being judged and I’m slowly getting there.”

Murapa admits that having an interpreter has been very beneficial on her academic journey. Murapa says, “I did have good grades but that was because I had to put in extra effort. I often missed out on conversations from peers and couldn’t hear what the teacher would say sometimes. So, now it’s a lot more easier to follow along and understand what [is] going on in class.”

Murapa’s interpreter Trisha Hazen has been working in interpreting American Sign Language for more than 25 years. Hazen says, “I started when I was 20. I got my first interpreting job at a high school.”

Hazen has been learning ASL since she was a kid. Hazen says, “I started taking after-school classes they were called GATE classes at the time, gifted and talented education. They had after-school courses you could take in journalism and photography and learning different things. I decided to take an ASL course and I really loved it.”

Hazen continued learning ASL in college. Hazen says, “In college, I had to take another language course so I chose ASL.”

Hazen has a great passion for her job as an ASL interpreter. Hazen says, “I think the biggest thing for me is being a bridge of communication for the student and making sure they have access to everything… I love everything about it this is my passion. I taught ASL for a very long time… I started the ASL program here at Redwood and Mt. Whitney.”

Isaiah Lopez is another student at Redwood who has been deaf since the age of four. Lopez does football and wrestling and doesn’t let his disability stop him from pursuing his passions.

Lopez admits that it can be challenging pursuing his passions and going to school with his disability. Lopez says, “Sometimes it can be hard when other people can hear and I can’t. It’s hard to stay focused but I get by.”

Lopez plays football and wrestling and has his interpreter come with him to his matches and games. Lopez says, “I played for the County Ducks when I was about six… I didn’t grow up with having an interpreter at my games until I came to high school. I learn as I go I just have to watch the ball. I’m on junior varsity.”

Lopez’s interpreter, Anthony Velasquez, has been doing his job for 4 years. Velasquez says, “I’m hired by the state. I’ve known sign language since I was seven and I learned because I have a family member who is deaf.”

His career in interpreting sign language began as an intern for the state. Velasquez says, “I had an intern job through the state and Isaiah was my first student before COVID. He’s my first and only kid I’ve worked with. Me and him get along well. He likes sports I like sports.”

Velasquez’s favorite aspect of his job is the progression he gets to see in the kids he interprets for. Velasquez says, “The progression. Seeing them grow every day. It’s just knowing every day what you’ve done matters to them and adds to their life.”

Lopez and Velasquez are very close. Velasquez says “He’s like a little brother to me. I go with him to his games and school dances.”

The bond between these children and their interpreters is heartwarming and helps us to understand the undertakings these students face on a daily. It is important that we create a safe space for all children and that they have resources to help them succeed in and out of the classroom.

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