My name is Deb Rookey. I’m from Little Rock, Arkansas and I’m 22 years old. I just finished my bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary humanities and ancient studies at Washington University in Saint Louis. I’ve been blessed with the ability to jump into new adventures and connect with different communities throughout my life. I love learning about means of communication and language’s role in building communities, which is why I spent my time at WashU researching American Sign Language Poetry. I decided to do a YAV year for a number of reasons. First, religion has always played a major role in my identity, and I found it to be a centering space, especially in my last four years. I’m also at a bit of a crossroads in my life where I have a few options for where I want to take things from here. I think that this year will serve as a time when I can reconnect with God and my faith while serving a community and learning about both the world and myself. I’m so excited to see what this year brings!