A Different Path

She’s quick to smile, and when she does it lights up the room.  But don’t let that breezy smile fool you—Sachiko Flores ’11 likes to challenge herself.  Take her choice of colleges, for example.  Sachiko figured Texas A&M University was one of the best schools in the country and one of the hardest to get into.  She decided to take the risk.  She hoped if she showed people she could take a risk, they would decide they could, too.  Of course, both the risk and the challenge were greater for her than they are for most students applying to A&M.  Sachiko Flores is Deaf.

“Both my brother and I were born Deaf,” she explains.  “We can’t hear at all, even though both our parents can.  My friends went to either the Rochester Institute for the Deaf or Gallaudet in D.C.  I wanted to take a different path.”  

Not wanting to miss a moment of the Aggie experience, Sachiko started at square one:  Fish Camp.  She arrived at Lakeview in August 2007 and threw herself into the festivities with Session F’s Camp DiSanto.  She’ll tell you her decision to attend A&M’s student-run extended orientation program was a good one.

“I’m glad I went to Fish Camp,” she says.  “It gave me an opportunity to understand more about being an Aggie, and thanks to my group leaders, I didn’t get lost on campus during my freshman year!  I believe other freshmen should go, too, so they can make friends before the semester begins.”

Like most Aggies, Sachiko didn’t waste any time getting involved.  As Vice President for Deaf Aggies and Friends (DeAF), she works with other DeAF members to provide connections between hearing and Deaf people, help them feel comfortable with one another, and provide advocacy/educational opportunities for anyone within or interested in the Deaf/Hard-of-hearing community.  Of course, the Deaf/Hard-of-hearing community in Bryan/College Station is a lot smaller than the massive, ever-changing community in Sachiko’s hometown of San Antonio.  The plus side to the local group, she points out, is it’s easy to get to know everyone.

The Challenges
Having attended mainstream schools all her life, Sachiko already understood some of the hurdles she would face at A&M.  Being Deaf is always the hardest part, but the way other students see her also presents a challenge.  Fellow Aggies often treat her like she’s different; most don’t realize she can speak.   Sachiko tries to let them know she’s just like their other friends—all she wants to do is hang out.

“They’re hesitant around me,” she muses.  “They think I would rather be with other Deaf people, because I can communicate better.  But I can read lips.  I would just like them to come speak to me.”  She smiles, adding, “Speak normally.  They don’t have to speak slowly or loudly.  If I need to have them repeat something, I’ll ask.”

As for class, most of her professors say she’s the first Deaf student they’ve ever taught.  True to form, the plucky wildlife fisheries science major sees that as an opportunity, a chance to teach faculty how she and they can work together as a team.  Sachiko’s team also includes interpreters provided by Disability Services—two full-time A&M staff members, Dr. David McMullen and Diana North, as well as a number of other interpreters brought in from local community agencies.

So, when all is said and done, how does Sachiko feel about her decision to attend Texas A&M?

“I’m proud to be the first Aggie in my family!” she beams.  “The Aggies are a family to me, too.  That’s what I love about A&M.”  She highly recommends the University to prospective students.  “We’re a family.  We have traditions.  Everyone will feel welcome.  Come to Texas A&M!”

For more information on Deaf Aggies and Friends, visit the group’s website at http://Deaf.tamu.edu or their Facebook page:  http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20301899786.

Information on Disability Services can be found at http://disability.tamu.edu.

Learn about Fish Camp at http://fishcamp.tamu.edu.

Contributed by:
Kathy DiSanto, Communications Specialist
Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

Photography by:
Bryce Swihart, Graphic Designer
Department of Information Technology