Our Chapter proudly introduces a 2020 scholarship awardee, Mackenzie Chesnut. Mackenzie will attend Oklahoma State University – OKC this fall and plans to become an Audiologist. Mackenzie is the daughter of Darwin and Bridgett Chesnut of Choctaw. Mackenzie’s hearing loss journey began at age 14 when she woke up with an ear infection. She soon became the “old lady” in the ENT’s waiting room because he was a pediatric Dr. Her first hearing aid came as she entered High School and it helped, especially with the male teachers, because her hearing loss is in the lower register. A modeling job for the small boutique where she works was the first to Mackenzie’s “flaw” when a photo caught a view of her hearing aid. At first Mackenzie was embarrassed, but her mother loved it because it empowered her to be unafraid to be different and became Mackenzie’s motto: that your flaws are beautiful and you should embrace them. Becoming hearing impaired has given purpose to Mackenzie. She wants to encourage people with hearing loss to talk about it and not be embarrassed. She says that her audiologist has made such a positive influence in her life and she wants to do that for others. She will!