Visual Learner
Mary Ross “Rossi” Hutcheson has an artist’s eye. Ironically, it was that which helped her develop an “ear” for a new language.  While a student at St. Catherine’s, Rossi fulfilled her high school’s foreign language requirement by completing 14 credits in Reynolds’ American Sign Language (ASL) program.  “Being a visual learner, I could understand the directional perspectives that you use with signing. I do well with hands-on learning, so ASL was a good choice for me.” 

And, she had a great study buddy:  her dad, Randy Hutcheson, who took the course with her.  “It was either that or sit in the library while Rossi was in class.  It ended up being a great experience for both of us.” 

Not only will Rossi’s four semesters fulfill her language requirements at St. Catherine’s, she will receive Dual Enrollment college credits that will follow her to Southern Methodist University in the fall.  “I know that I’m more prepared for a college environment. For my first ASL class, we used Skype and did everything online.  That’s something I should be exposed to, and I was able to get a really good head start here at Reynolds,” says Rossi.     

Randy Hutcheson, a Richmond attorney, says he is very impressed with the quality of instruction and the learning environment, too.  “All of the teachers have been fantastic, and the College has been very accommodating.”  And, while there were there no other father-daughter duos in the class, Randy says he never felt out of place.  “There were people of all ages in our class, from different backgrounds and professions. It seems like a great environment for an adult student.”  
 
Rossi is considering the studio art track at SMU and intends to keep up her ASL skills.  She and her dad agree the entire experience was enriching.  From Rossi, “I had seen the JSRCC bumper stickers before, but I didn’t realize how many people go to school here.  We even ran into one of my cousins.” Randy says the time with his daughter- just before she goes to college- made the class even more special.  “The whole experience was a home run.  It fulfilled Rossi’s school requirements, and I had a chance to learn along with her.  We took Tae Kwon Do together one year, but this was entirely different.”