Born deaf, this teen helped Monmouth College with sign language. Now, she'll attend it

MONMOUTH — In the fall of 2015, Monmouth College staged a production of the Nina Raine play “Tribes,” in which American Sign Language plays a part in telling the story. Dareann Weber, then a sixth-grade student, found herself in a teaching role with Monmouth students, as her ability to communicate through sign language was in demand.

It was a turning point in her life.

“Teaching the students in ‘Tribes’ is really special to my heart,” said Dareann, who will enroll at Monmouth College this fall thanks, in part, to receiving a prestigious P.E.O. STAR Scholarship. The competitive $2,500 award is for senior high school women who exhibit excellence in leadership, academics, extracurricular activities, community service and potential for future success.

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“English is my second language — I’m not ashamed to say it,” said Dareann, who also did sign language for a 2021 Monmouth College production of ‘Little Women: The Musical.’ “As I was singing the ‘Little Women’ songs, I realized I could really express myself.”

That hasn’t always been easy for Dareann, as her nominator for the P.E.O. scholarship noted.

Born deaf, she did not have complete grasp of language until she was 11

“She was born deaf and did not have her first cochlear implant until age 8,” wrote the nominator. “She did not have complete grasp of language until she was 11 years old.”

“That first experience with ‘Tribes’ was the first time she ever felt accepted by everyone,” said Dareann’s mother, Jeannie Weber, who serves as executive director of the United Way of Greater Warren County. “Theatre has been a great conduit for growth for D. That impression she had from her ‘Tribes’ experience led to two things — she knew she wanted to study theatre, and she would not go anywhere else but Monmouth.”

“Theatre is very personal to my heart and soul,” said Dareann, who attended Galesburg Christian School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, before completing her high school degree through the Regional Office of Education, focusing entirely on ESL courses her final year.

“When I’m on stage, my wish is that at least one person in the audience can be inspired. I know that I get inspired every day by seeing the people who are working behind the scenes.”

Dareann has had to endure her share of challenges and obstacles to get where she is today.

“Academically, it’s been difficult,” said Jeannie. “That is often the case when English is not your first language and you live in the United States. This is the first summer in years that she hasn’t been in summer school or in speech therapy. She was in speech therapy from the time she was 2 until she was a sophomore. She’s had three different brain surgeries for her ears.”

'My hearing gets a little bit better every day'

“I’m working hard, trying my best to get better,” said Dareann, who also attended Immaculate Conception School in Monmouth. “My hearing gets a little bit better every day. It helps when people understand they need to speak slower. I really don’t want to be in the spotlight. I just want to work hard and try my best.”

Dareann works in various volunteer roles in the community. She has worked with the Monmouth Business Council volunteering for a variety of activities, such as helping with the United Way project of establishing Little Libraries around the city. She even participated in building the small structures.

A regular blood donor, Dareann has volunteered with the horseback riding therapy program at Rainbow Riders, where she led and coached her team. She is the youngest person ever to be appointed to the board of directors for the Buchanan Center for the Arts, where has volunteered to do cold solicitations because she wanted to become more comfortable talking to strangers.

“Helping people is really important to me,” said Dareann. “It’s a way to make other people be blessed and to help make the world a better place.”

“What makes Dareann exceptional is her eagerness to find ways to serve others,” wrote her nominator. “She is the one who finds ways to contribute before she’s even asked. She has overcome being bullied because of her deafness and, in her own words, says, ‘I have to work a little harder and be a little braver.’”

“I was happy to receive the scholarship, because it told me again that being deaf doesn’t matter,” said Dareann, who sat for a formal interview as part of the scholarship process. “What matters is being good to yourself and others.”

Recent graduate aspires to be a director or writer in film or theatre

In addition to studying theatre at Monmouth, Dareann plans to minor in communication studies.

“I want to be a director or writer in film or theatre or both,” she said.

“Dareann’s intelligence, curiosity and eagerness to assist others will ensure her future success,” wrote her nominator. “Members of the STAR Committee were charmed by not only what she has already accomplished, but by her curiosity about us and interest in the programs of P.E.O. We are honored to nominate such an outstanding young woman for the STAR Scholarship.”

Since its inception in 1869, P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) has helped more than 116,000 women pursue educational goals by providing nearly $400 million in grants, scholarships, awards and loans.

This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: Illinois teen who helped Monmouth College with ASL gets scholarship