The great communicator who breaks down the language barrier between the deaf and the hearing at NIU is Marta Laskus, a senior deaf education major and resident interpreter.

Laskus, the only daughter of Ziggy and Teresa Laskus, grew up in Palatine, a northwest suburb of Chicago. Laskus believes that she has lived a great life with a family who would do anything for her.

“I was raised in a home with parents and brothers who loved me very much,” she said. “They have been a big support to me throughout my life.”

Laskus has four brothers she is very close to.

Educated at a private school in the northwest suburb of Lake Zurich, it was there that Laskus acquired her love for the deaf and decided not only to learn the deaf culture, but also be a part of it. Laskus, who lives with many deaf students on the fourth floor of Grant Tower B, works diligently interpreting between the deaf and the hearing.

Jessica Dotson, a junior political science major at Elmhurst college, is a life-long friend of Laskus.

“In the years that I have known Marta, I have come to find that she is not only a great person, but also genuine,” Dotson said. “Marta loves what she does and takes pride in being the best at everything she does,” Dotson said.

Marta has been involved with the deaf for about seven years.

“I used to get practice interpreting for the deaf ministry at a church I attended,” Laskus said. “I was able to learn the basics of interpreting as I did this.”

Laskus admits that learning to interpret is a life-long learning process.

“No matter how many classes you take about interpreting, you will never get everything,” Laskus said. “The deaf language and culture is what I live for, and I want to make sure that I do my very best.”

Matthew Huffine, who lives in Lake Zurich, believes that Laskus is a caring person.

“I have known Marta for 15 years and she puts the needs of everyone before her own,” Huffine said. “Marta uses her energetic personality to always see others needs and fulfill them.”

Erin Bell, a sophomore deaf education major and deaf pride president, said she enjoys being with Marta.

“Marta is a really fun person to hang out with,” Bell said. “She is such a great help on our floor, interpreting for the deaf.”

The deaf culture and people mean everything to Laskus.

“I believe that God has given me a special desire to communicate with the deaf,” Laskus said. “I want to use that desire to help the deaf in any way that I can.”

Laskus also believes that deaf awareness is a great way for the deaf and the hearing to unify cultures.

“Many hearing people have put a gap of misunderstanding between themselves and the deaf,” Laskus said. “Deaf awareness bridges that gap and unites our cultures collectively.”