The only sound filling the halls of Kentlake on May 2, 2005 were that of laughter and snapping as Tahoma competed in this years Washington State Annual Sign off Competition. Tahoma competed with students across the state including; Lake Stevens, Bremerton, Stadium, Kent Schools, Soap Lake, and Stanwood. The Kent High Schools have been hosting the Sign Off since it was created four years ago.

Sign off is set up with eight lecture halls set up as stations for judging. The students stand in front of the judges and tell them a story that follows a format the students can either do this alone or in groups. The judges come from all over the state some and have all different experience; they range from interpreters to deaf adults. The judges were excited with the turn out and caliber of the stories and signing ability of the students. “This is the best year yet, I hope it only gets better in years to come” said one Sign off Judge on the way to lunch. Not only were the judges excited and proud but so was Ms. Tubbs, “This is the first year Tahoma has competed in Sign off. We had a rookie coach and team but we still did very well. Next year we will be better prepared and do even better.” Bob Barrak was also there to support the Sign Off team.

The Tahoma Sign off students spent many hours preparing for the Sign Off. Jen Hewett, a Tahoma senior, spent about 10 hours a week outside of school preparing her story for Sign off; she did this for the two months before the completion. Jen wasn’t the only Tahoma ASL student who put a great deal of time into sign of. Devin Hiatt, a Tahoma junior, also competed in Sign Off, “It was a lot of work but it was so much fun it was worth it. I can’t wait to do it next year,” she said. Jen was also in agreement with Devin and she states, “It was great- it would be a lie if I said it was the worst experience of my life.”

For four Tahoma Sign off students, the work paid off. George, Jamie, Andrew, and Robbi, who took third place in the first year ABC story, struggled to prepare for the challenges. Ms. Tubbs is extremely proud and looking forward to next year “Now that we know what to expect and can be better prepared for next year, I expect us to do even better.”