Junior Danica Przywara wasn’t expecting to be at McAnnulty Elementary School’s Valentine’s Day party this year. But after helping model American Sign Language for Deaf kindergartener Ellie Beu, she was more than happy to be there for that special event.

“One of my favorite days with Ellie was during the Valentine’s Day party. I was able to help her participate and make crafts with her class and pair the signs to those activities,” Przywara said. “I love being able to help out Ellie during special moments.”

Przywara has been a huge help during these types of celebrations, said Kathryn Jeney, Ellie’s kindergarten teacher.

“It has been so nice having her support not only during celebrations, but also throughout our everyday classroom routines,” Jeney said.

Ellie was born Deaf, failing the hearing screen at the hospital.

“We went to the audiology department at Children’s Hospital, and that’s where they diagnosed her with profound bilateral hearing loss,” Ellie’s mom, Nicole Hegarty, said.

Chelsea Wilkins, a district teacher of the Deaf and hard of hearing, provides primary support for Ellie in class.

“I am there to support whatever is going on in class so that Ellie can access communication, as well as to work with Ellie 1:1 to teach her new language skills in both ASL and English,” Wilkins said. “I have also been working with the staff so that they can learn new signs in ASL. This helps them to be able to communicate directly with her in an accessible language.”

To add even more support for Ellie, Przywara began going to McAnnulty Elementary School this semester. Przywara, a student in Baldwin’s ASL 3 class, is helping Ellie learn ASL.

When Przywara visits McAnnulty, she describes for Ellie in ASL what the class is working on.

“For example, they will be learning colors, and I will sit with her and teach her,” Przywara said.

Przywara works with Ellie twice a week for an hour each time.

“She was definitely nervous at first, but the more that I went over, she learned my name, and it has become a really fun relationship to form,” Przywara said.

Jeney appreciates Przywara’s commitment to supporting Ellie.

“Danica has become such a special part of Ellie’s school experience. Ellie truly enjoys the extra attention and always lights up when she sees Danica,” Jeney said.

Przywara is a wonderful buddy for Ellie and gives her someone to play and connect with throughout the day, Jeney said.

“Before Danica, Ellie was often hesitant to participate in crafts and group activities,” she said. “With the personalized attention and encouragement Danica provides Ellie, she has become much more willing to join in and participate.”

Hegarty said Ellie is also nonverbal autistic, and while her parents sign to Ellie, she has not started signing back yet. Based on feedback from Jeney, Przywara has had a positive impact on Ellie, Hegarty said.

“Ellie just bonded with Danica right away, enjoys working with her, and is more attentive when Danica is there to work with her,” she said.

Jeney enjoys Przywara’s presence in class because she has helped build up Ellie’s confidence.

“We truly enjoy having Danica come to our classroom,” she said. “As a specialized classroom with varying communication needs, it is so valuable for our students to be exposed to sign language and different ways of communicating.”

Przywara has enjoyed the experience.

“I think that it is such a good opportunity, being able to work with her, knowing that this is something that I would want to do with my future,” Przywara said.

Wilkins agreed.

“I think it is also a neat experience for Danica, who is interested in the field of education, to see a practical application of ASL and using the language to work with Deaf and hard of hearing kids.”

There have been lots of fun moments between Przywara and Beu.

“Ellie and Danica enjoy spending time together doing dramatic play with little figurines, and they especially love swinging and playing outside together,” Jeney said. “Ellie also gets very excited about Danica’s nails and loves admiring them when she comes to visit.”

Hegarty agreed about their bond.

“Ellie loves working with Danica, and she loves doing art projects with her – Ellie will not do art projects otherwise,” Hegarty said. “So she has definitely made an impact in a friendship with Ellie.”

This opportunity got its start in a conversation between Wilkins, Baldwin Assistant Principal Denise Wells, and Baldwin ASL teacher Lindsey Graney.

“Ms. Wells mentioned that since we have students at BHS learning ASL and a Deaf student at MES who could use a buddy to sign with, we could start a volunteer experience for one of our high school students,” Wilkins said.

Graney said that when she explained the opportunity to her ASL students, “Danica immediately was interested.”

Graney commends Przywara for learning the language so well and applying what she has learned while helping the community.

“Danica has taken it to the next step,” Graney said. “I love her enthusiasm. She’s awesome.”

This story was originally published on Purbalite on May 27, 2026.