Pictured from left to right are Les Schmeltz, Au.D., and Rebekah Cunningham, Ph.D. (ASHS faculty members), Jennifer Thomas and Jason Leyendecker (award winners), Henry Trahan, Au.D., Tabitha Parent Buck, Au.D., Tom Rigo, Ph.D, and Elton Bordenave, M.Ed. (ASHS faculty members).
The annual $1,000 scholarship was split between the winning students, who were selected on the basis of their clinical skills, academic standing, demonstrated commitment to professional organizations and essay on professionalism. This year's winners were Jennifer Thomas and Jason Leyendecker.
Jennifer Thomas is a third-year student at ASHS. She has served for three years as an officer of the ASHS chapter of the National Association of Future Doctors of Audiology (NAFDA), and also served as a Student Government Association representative and Student Ambassador for A.T. Still University.
"Jennifer Thomas is an energetic and highly motivated young student who excels in her course work and manages her time to be able to have an excellent track record of service and professional leadership," said Tabitha Parent Buck, Au.D., ASHS associate professor and chair of audiology. "She has the skills and the drive to be an active and productive audiology professional and colleague."
Thomas's third-year classmate Jason Leyendecker has also been involved with NAFDA at the local, as well as national, level and has served in A.T. Still's Student Government Association.
"Jason Leyendecker is an excellent student, clinician and role model," said Parent Buck. "He is dedicated to learning the foundations of audiology through his coursework, and he has a positive and outgoing personality that allows him to interact with patients, faculty, preceptors and fellow students with ease."
Both students were honored during a special ceremony this spring at ASHS.
The AFA is a non-profit foundation whose mission is to empower audiologists to be independent and autonomous practitioners by supporting their educational preparation, professional practice and leadership development.
