We are proud to announce our scholarship recipients for 2018.
Jessica James Huddelston is the daughter of Jerry and Holly James of Norman. Jessica has completed her undergraduate studies and will be attending the University of Oklahoma – Health Sciences Center this fall to work on her Doctorate of Audiology.
Jessica was diagnosed with a progressive hearing loss at age 11 and received her first hearing aids in high school. After hearing the sounds of this world, she decided we all have a unique and wonderful story to share. A degree in Audiology is one way she can share her story with others and have the empathy to help others with hearing loss.
She has learned to advocate for herself as a student with hearing loss and to be persistent in every endeavor and to always help others to advocate for themselves, both with and without hearing loss.
Lauren Lewis, of Guthrie, is the daughter of Gail Parker and Richard Lewis. Lauren will be attending Oklahoma State University – OKC this fall. She is a single mother of a five year old son, Jayden, and also works part-time, so Lauren has a very busy schedule.
Lauren lost her hearing at age 2 when she had meningitis. She started wearing hearing aids at age three. She learned sign language at an early age and grew up using sign to communicate. She progressed to a Cochlear Implant in one ear in the 5th grade. Several years later, she had a Cochlear Implant in her other ear, mainly to be able to hear her son’s breathing, as he was born with a heart problem, requiring surgery.
Her dream has been to be able to work with animals and learn how they live and communicate. She is enrolled in the Veterinarian Technician program to fulfill her dream.