Deaf Hip Hop Singer Returning to Chaparral High to Motivate Students [Video]

The following was submitted for publication on behalf of Chaparral High School:

For the second consecutive year, Chaparral High School will host Sean Forbes, deaf hip hop artist, at a special motivational assembly on Thursday, November 13, from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., in the school’s gymnasium.

Forbes, who is from Detroit, has been deaf since infancy and is a co-founder of the Deaf Performing Arts Network (D-PAN), a non-profit organization that focuses on translating popular artists’ songs into American Sign Language music videos for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.

“Last year was the first time we brought Sean to Chaparral, and he was a huge hit. His performance left over 1,000 students speechless and inspired us all. His message reinforces what we are teaching students: with passion and perseverance, they can overcome their own obstacles. We also are focusing on lessons of acceptance – not just tolerance – of individual differences. We want students to learn that everyone is unique, and everyone owns the right to be respected as a human being regardless of their external inherent differences.

“Sean’s performance also dovetails nicely with our addition of American Sign Language (ASL) to the curriculum this year,” Zides added. “This year, we have five full sections of ASL I, and it is tremendously popular. Next year, we anticipate five beginning ASL classes and five second-year ASL classes. It’s a great world language option for students, and we are excited to be able to offer it,” he said.

In addition to CHS students, special invitations have been extended to 50 students from the high school’s feeder schools, Bella Vista Middle and James L. Day Middle School. CHS is located at 27215 Nicolas Road, Temecula.