“I like singing a lot,” she said.

One might think that singing with your mouth and with your hands would be confusing, but Tiffany finds that doing both the same time helps her stay in synch.

Even though FCC does not have deaf members, the beauty and passion of Tiffany’s presentations have brought some within the congregation to tears, said Tiffany’s mother, Carol Ramsey.

The Seymour Christian Academy junior took an after-school beginner’s sign language class after classmates piqued her interest.

As a test, students in the class were required to converse in sign language with deaf volunteers.

The experience left Tiffany with a better handle on the unfamiliar language.

Although she knows around 300 signs, Ramsey still looks up unfamiliar words on the Internet.

About a year ago, Tiffany signed for her friend as she delivered a solo for one of FCC’s Youth Sunday services.

Since then Tiffany’s signing has turned into a weekly tradition.

“People really enjoy it,” said Carol.

FCC Youth Director Sandy Wildey, who also oversees the worship team, encouraged Ramsey to share her new talent with the congregation on a regular basis.

“I’ve always had a passion for signing,” said Wildey.

“When I first saw that she could do this it just touched my heart.”

Wildey coaxed the reluctant teenager into stepping into the spotlight to share her newfound talents with the church.

“Tiffany is a quiet young lady but she’s very mature,” said Wildey.

Sometimes Wildey will see Tiffany signing as the team practices a new song, prompting her to ask her to sign during the church service.

“She will not just speak up,” said Wildey, noting that Tiffany would prefer to work behind the scenes.

Tiffany would prefer to stick to signing music, but her mother would like to see her turn sign language into a ministry to attract the hearing-impaired to FCC.

It is harder to keep up with pastors, who tend to ad lib, than it is to perform songs, which can be practiced beforehand, said Tiffany.

“You show a lot more expression,” said Tiffany, explaining the differences between signing and singing.

Through hand gestures, body language and facial expressions, Tiffany can move people who do not even know what the gestures mean.

She also taught some of FCC’s third- through fifth-graders at her church to sign the song “Shout to the Lord.”

Tiffany plans to pursue a career as a social worker after school and thinks sign language could come in handy.

However, she admits she will have to expand her sign language vocabulary.

While she is familiar with church-related words like praise, heaven, Lord, king and worship, Tiffany said she needs to learn everyday words.

The Hayden resident also is a member of her school’s volleyball team, Beta Honor Society, Hospitality Club and works in the church nursery twice a month.

By Brian Sanders
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