Gov. Tim Walz honors ASL interpreter Nic Zapko on birthday

Walz proclaimed Tuesday as "Nic Zapko Day."

March 10, 2021 at 10:59AM
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz surprised Sign Language Translator Nic Zapko proclaiming it "Nic Zapko Day" on her birthday after he addressed the media regarding the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine during a press conference, Tuesday, March 9, 2021 in St. Paul, MN. ] ELIZABETH FLORES • liz.flores@startribune.com
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz surprised ASL interpreter Nic Zapko by proclaiming it “Nic Zapko Day” Tuesday on her birthday after he addressed the media in St. Paul regarding the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. (Elizabeth Flores - Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz surprised American Sign Language interpreter Nic Zapko by proclaiming Tuesday "Nic Zapko Day."

Walz announced the honor after he addressed the media regarding the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine during a news conference Tuesday in St. Paul.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz surprised Sign Language Translator Nic Zapko proclaiming it "Nic Zapko Day" on her birthday after he addressed the media regarding the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine during a press conference, Tuesday, March 9, 2021 in St. Paul, MN. ] ELIZABETH FLORES • liz.flores@startribune.com
Zapko shows off the proclamation. (Elizabeth Flores - Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Tuesday had the benefit of it being Zapko's birthday, and Walz cited her fast, animated, and accurate delivery of critical information.

"The state of Minnesota wishes her a very happy birthday and thanks her for her service," Walz said, citing her near-daily role in ensuring the 20% Minnesotans who identify as deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing receive real-time information.

Learn more about Zapko from this profile in June:

Staff photographer Elizabeth Flores contributed to this report.

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about the writer

Vince Tuss

Night home-page producer

Vince Tuss is a producer working on the StarTribune.com home page most evenings. Before that, he was a copy editor and a night police reporter.

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