Dana writes…

I have had a different path to higher education than many others, starting at UW-Milwaukee in 2015. After about a year and a half, I decided to take some time off to figure out what I actually wanted to spend the rest of my life doing, so I spent my time working at a coffee and bagel location.

In those three years off from school, I made some big changes and learned a lot about being responsible for myself. I decided to go back to UW-Milwaukee in the fall of 2019 for early-childhood special education. It felt as if everything matched better this time around.

Then, of course, COVID-19 hit and suddenly everything became virtual and a lot less engaging to me. Around the time that I went back to school, I also started working at Whole Foods Market. I had a co-worker who was in the American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter Training Program. She encouraged me to take a couple of classes, to see if I enjoyed it. Well, I did!

I started to learn about Deaf culture and Deaf history. The impact that learning about Deaf history has had on the advocate in me is something I will always carry with me, as I become a professional interpreter.

After completing a minimum of 400 service-learning hours and finishing up my second internship at The Center for Deaf-Blind, I will finally be graduating this May. Throughout my time in this program, I have interpreted “Sweeney Todd,” “Elf the Musical,” and “First Date,” among others. I have had the opportunity to work with a wide range of Deaf people and it has only solidified my appreciation and devotion to being a language bridge between Deaf and hearing people.

As for after graduation, I’m hoping to

work as a K-12 Educational Interpreter, but also the world is my oyster. My time at Whole Foods Market has only encouraged me to grow as a human. I started out working in the deli counter and moved to now being the assistant manager for the Customer Service/E-Commerce department.

I have had the privilege to visit my lovely foreign exchange student, Victoria Radin, in Finland in 2019. Lucky for me, I was able to make it to British Columbia to see my childhood best friend and Menomonie High alumni Rhiannon Coen-Johnson and Christopher Dusek get married in the fall of 2023. This June, I will be heading to Norway with my family.

I’m currently living in Milwaukee and have been here for the last ten years. While my romantic relationships have had their ups and downs, because of them I have my two fur babies—my cat Bean and my dog Kaia. They are the true lessons that have taught me to be responsible and continue to move forward with my goals.

When I have the time, I’m typically outside on walks/runs with my dog. I enjoy reading, crocheting, and caring for my plants. I also love to be outdoors and go for hikes, weather permitting.

Judy Foust is a retired longtime 7th Grade Reading Specialist at Menomonie Middle School. To submit info to her or to request an interview she may be contacted at [email protected].