Fall 2013 Education Debt Reduction Winners

Golden Key’s scholarship recipients embody the pillars for which Golden Key stands and we are delighted to assist them in making their dreams a reality. We realize that many college students today require assistance repaying the investment they have made in their education. We are committed to helping members further their education and academic pursuits, so we created the Education Debt Reduction Award, which assists members with repayment of student loans. We are excited to announce the winners of the Fall 2013 scholarship, who are awarded $5,000 USD each.
The recipients (in no particular order) are:

• Elizabeth Hutchins-Croft, Texas Woman’s University, Canada
• Hailey Key, Kaplan University, United States
• Makiijah Crabbe, University of the Virgin Islands – St. Thomas, United States
• Noriza Abu Hassan Shaari, West Virginia University, United States
• Alexander Gross, University of Oregon, United States
• Jason Baxter, Arizona State University, United States
• Coulter Tallent, American Public University System, United States
• Yuliya Khakhuda, University of Alberta, Canada
• Lien Trinh, University of California, Riverside, United States
• Maria-Luiza Popescu, The University of Texas at Dallas, United States
• Nelia Greeff, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
• Aaron Luke MacNeill, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, Canada
• Stella Onuoha-Obilor, Walden University, United States
• Lacia Vogel, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, Canada
• Simone Samuels, York University, Canada
• Taylor Godine, Kent State University, United States
• Amanda Giles, The University of Montana, United States

Congratulations to the winners!

Here’s what a few of the winners had to say upon receiving the award…
“Receiving this scholarship is validation for me to continue forward in a manner in which my passions serve as my compass in my decisions, while continuing to build on Golden Key’s motto of “unlock your potential.” Being inducted into Golden Key, I remember wanting so badly to be on the stage, standing confidently as an officer wearing a knowing smile that I was seeking out great things. My time eventually came when I was standing proud, with several years of Golden Key service under my belt, as a graduating senior. Golden Key has exposed me to innumerable experiences and lessons, which continue to make themselves present in my life today. I look forward to this scholarship contributing to my current endeavors as well as how golden Key will continue to uplift me in the future.”
-Jason Baxter
“I am so honored to be selected as a recipient of the 2013 Education Debt Reduction award! This award will help me to complete my doctoral studies and a sign language interpreter program so that I can continue to provide increasingly effective services to the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and hearing communities with whom I live, work, and interact. I am so grateful for the opportunities available through the Golden Key International Honor Society – joining was one of the best decisions I have made as it has allowed me access to a community of support and opportunity that was not otherwise available to me. Thank you so much!”
-Elizabeth Hutchins-Croft
“Winning the Education Debt Reduction Award is truly a blessing for me and my family. This enables me to continue with my studies (Masters Degree) with peace in my heart, that I am no longer placing a financial burden on my parents’ shoulders. They were responsible for the interest on my study loans each month. We are a big family and I currently have two brothers also studying, therefore this award not only gives me an opportunity to be able to continue with further studies but also benefits my two brothers because my parents will be in a better position to support them through their years of university. I would once again like to extend my gratitude to Golden Key and all its partners for playing a part in empowering me to reach my full potential in life through everything that I have learnt thus far and the award presented to me. I am committed to being a great leader in my community/country/world-wide and inspiring and equipping people to aspire toward their dreams and reach their full potential in life.”
-Neila Greeff
“I am overwhelmed with joy and honor to receive the Golden Key Education Debt Reduction Award! I am proud to be an active member of a society that shares the same values as my own. Golden Key has broadened my horizons through numerous measures: serving communities, attending professional workshops, delivering my own workshop, working and networking with like-minded individuals on campus and across the global, and meeting inspirational speakers. This scholarship will certainly alleviate my financial burden and allow me to concentrate on pursuing my career in medicine.”
-Lien Trinh