Since 1998, representatives from ILAA have attended the Illinois Junior Academy of Science State Science Fair in Champaign, IL to judge Audiology related projects. From a humble beginning of just $100 in prize money we have come to the present time with $600 in prize money, a legion of industry support, Au.D. students serving as superior judges, and the most gifted young scientists in Illinois. This year’s fair brought together 1300 students and approximately 100 special awards, including those awarded by ILAA.
Natalie McKee, Au.D., from the office of Bloomington-Normal Audiology, was joined by AuD students Laura Wagoner and Sarah Hyde from Northern Illinois University and Melissa Alexander, Christa Johnson, Jacqueline Busen, and Janet Han from Rush University. These representatives spent the morning judging these projects. There were 15 projects involving balance, hearing loss, noise exposure, the physics of sound, auditory memory and sound absorption. The judges selected four excellent projects.
Prize money donated by ILAA totaled $600, which was split amongst the winners. Additional prizes were provided by local manufacturers. These prizes included ER-6 earphones and advanced high fidelity earplugs from Etymotic and lunch bags and on-the-go accessories from Phonak, Siemens Hearing Instruments, and Sonic Innovations.
Our congratulations goes out to all of our winners! The Academy hopes to continue its presence at the IJAS Fair next year to educate these students and their families on the outstanding field of Audiology.
A goal of the Illinois Academy of Audiology is to promote the profession of Audiology to the public at large. This is accomplished via a number of activities.
Career Fairs
Representatives of the ILAA attend high school and junior college job fairs whenever possible. The ILAA Career Brochure was developed by the Public Relations Committee for use at such events.
A number of scholarships are awarded by the ILAA each year. Our Post-secondary Scholarship is awarded to an exceptional hearing impaired high school senior who is pursuing post-secondary education. High-school guidance counselors throughout the State are contacted regarding the scholarship, thereby increasing awareness of the profession. Click here to view information about our recent Post-secondary Scholarship winners.
Scholarships for high school seniors with hearing loss who are pursuing post-secondary education
One $1000 scholarship is awarded annually to an outstanding high school senior meeting the criteria below. The 2009 winners of these scholarships were Justin Salerno, who attends Arizona State University and Bryn Spejcher, who attends Augustana College.
Criteria: The student must have a hearing loss that is characterized by a pure-tone average of 40dB or greater at 1000Hz, 2000Hz and 4000Hz in the ear with better hearing. The student must be a high school senior who has been accepted as a full-time student at any regionally accredited institute of hearing learning. The institute of higher learning may be any accredited college, university, junior/community college, college transitional program, technical school, trade school, or vocational school located within the United States.
All application materials for the scholarships are typically accepted in the spring of each calendar year. 2010 application materials are now available to download and all completed applications should be submitted to ILAA by May 22, 2010.
Many thanks to the 2009 Post Secondary Education Scholarship Committee members, Christine Jakubec, Barbara Murphy, Keri Maas, Ginger Mullin, Ann Gear and Barbara Rezabek for developing the policies, procedures and forms for the Scholarship Program and for participating in the difficult process of selecting the recipients from all the worthy candidates. ILAA membership can be proud of this program that supports the future of young students – we can help them hear their best and now can give them an extra “boost” to support their educational goals as well.
Additional scholarship information for deaf and hard-of-hearing students is available at www.clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/InfoToGo - select Transition to Adulthood and then select Financial Aid to view these opportunities.
ILAA, 61 Martin Lane, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 Phone/Fax: 1.800.963.ILAA
