CHHA/CHHA Foundation Scholarship Winner
CHHA/CHHAF Foundation Scholarship 2011 is awarded to Marina Opitz of Oakville, ON. Marina was diagnosed with a hearing loss at the age of five. For all of Marina’s life, she has found fulfillment in the arts: visual, dramatic and musical. This passion continues as Marina is currently completing her Bachelors Degree in Music with Honours in Education at the University of Western Ontario. Marina is the first ever hard of hearing student enrolled in this program.
Frank Algar Memorial Scholarship Winner
The Frank Algar Memorial Scholarship 2011 was awarded to Kathleen Ann Fink of Burnaby, BC, a Nursing student at the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Diagnosed with a hearing loss at two, Kathleen never let this stop her from achieving her goals. During Kathleen’s high school years, she developed from a person interested in hiding her hearing loss to a leader who educated and mentors those around her. She is a trained martial artist who hopes to obtain her 1st degree black belt this summer.
Dr. Charles A. Laszlo Scholarship Winner
The Dr. Charles A. Laszlo Scholarship 2011 was awarded to Michael (Alasdair) Cumming of London, ON, who has completed his first year of a two year graduate program in Audiology at the University of Western Ontario. Michael knows the impact of an audiologist on the lives of those with hearing loss. “To have the opportunity to provide a similar impact to others is something that is of great importance to me,” he says.