A Camp That Resonated
Ashley Sullivan, a sophomore at Edison High, has been playing soccer since she was three and currently balances her school team with club commitments to Sporting California. This summer she was selected among just 18 players to attend the USA Deaf National Youth Development Camp in Atlanta, a week‑long immersion that combined elite training with a rare sense of community.
The camp, held in the heart of Georgia, offered Sullivan the chance to compete in scrimmages where her team edged out the Georgia U17 Girls Olympic Development Program squad 5‑4. For a player who is fluent in American Sign Language and has moderate hearing loss, the ability to communicate effortlessly with teammates was a highlight.
Sullivan’s mother, Kristie Sullivan, a longtime ASL teacher at Edison High and also deaf, accompanied her daughter and found the experience equally enriching. “Seeing Ashley thrive in an environment where everyone shares the same language was priceless,” Kristie said, noting that the camp also broadened her own perspective on youth deaf sports.
Sullivan appreciated the diversity of experiences among the campers. She described the atmosphere as one where stories were exchanged as freely as passes on the field, fostering friendships that will extend beyond the camp’s duration.
Sullivan’s family background adds another layer to her story. She is a third‑generation member of the Deaf community on her father’s side, and her older brother Ethan serves as goalkeeper for the U.S. Men’s Deaf National Team. The supportive environment at home appears to fuel her ambition to secure a spot on Edison’s varsity squad next season.
Coach Nikki Fedele, who guides the Chargers junior varsity girls’ soccer team, has praised Sullivan’s versatility, noting she can fill roles from attacking midfielder to holding midfielder to outside back. Fedele’s friendship with Emily Spreeman (Cresse), the all‑time leading goal scorer for the U.S. Women’s Deaf National Team, further underscores the network of talent surrounding Sullivan.
Looking ahead, Sullivan hopes to translate the camp’s lessons into her high school season, aiming to make the varsity team while continuing her club commitments. Her journey reflects not only personal talent but also the growing visibility of Deaf athletes in mainstream sports.