Deafness Doesn’t Deter West Valley Athlete Rachel Shawen Plays Softball And Soccer And Doesn’t Lament An Inability To Hear

Maybe it’s just natural to wonder whether someone who doesn’t have hearing would want to have it.

When West Valley High School senior softball player Rachel Shawen was asked that question, she replied: “Being deaf is a part of who I am. I might be someone different if I could hear.”

Answers that question.

Shawen has accomplished a lot in her high school career. But given the fact that she is deaf, well, many of her accomplishments have to be looked at in a different and unique perspective.

Shawen, who was born deaf, has a 3.5 grade-point average, is a member of the National Honor Society, is student body vice president and was a member of the all-Frontier League soccer team. She was also named the soccer team’s most valuable player.

“When you’re deaf, you’ve got to give at least 110 percent of yourself in whatever you do,” said Shawen’s interpreter, Donna Helmer.

Shawen will attend Washington State University in the fall. But before that, she will meet with officials in WSU’s special services department next week to find an interpreter and someone who can take notes for her to help her in her studies when she starts college.

“It doesn’t help the student if an interpreter doesn’t understand the subject matter of a particular class,” Helmer said.

But understanding Shawen doesn’t seem to be a problem for her Eagles teammates. As a left fielder and center fielder, Helmer relays instructions softball coach Steve Kent might have for Shawen.

But probably the most interesting display of interaction between Shawen and her teammates and coach takes place during a game in which emotions are running either high or low.

In the vociferousness of players giving encouragement or congratulating each other, Shawen is right in the middle of it. Only with her, it is her hands that are doing the talking.

Shawen said she has never felt left out because she is deaf.

“It’s not hard at all,” Shawen signed. “I’ve known most of this team since fifth grade, and some of them know how to sign, too, so they can communicate with me that way.”

And although she can’t hear, it certainly doesn’t get in the way of her engaging personality.

“She’s real outgoing and vivacious,” Helmer said. “Just the fact that she is involved in team sports and other extra-curricular activities at school demonstrates her ability to compensate for not being able to hear.”