Golden Key is happy to introduce Bontle Mathabi, one of Golden Key’s 2021 Undergrad Achievement Award winners. Bontle studies an honors BSc Audiology program from the University of Cape Town and will be graduating in December of 2022.

“I chose a career in the Health Sciences because I have always wanted to help people,” Bontle says. “Audiology is a very underdeveloped profession in my home country of Zimbabwe. It is more often than not seen as a luxury than a necessity, and my aim was to change that perspective. I chose Audiology to impart a change.”

Bontle plans to practice audiology upon graduation.

“Hearing and balance is a crucial part of our day-to-day interactions with different individuals, and thus I aim to use my degree to help restore these to people who may have lost it,” Bontle reveals. “I would like to practice as an audiologist while also offering these services to our underprivileged communities that may otherwise not have afforded them. I would like to create more awareness on the importance of ear health.”

Bontle is excited to be a Golden Key member and receive this award.

“I remember jumping around my room when I received the e-mail inviting me to be a member of Golden Key,” Bontle explains. “And now, a year later, I am jumping around the same room upon receiving the 2021 undergraduate achievement award from Golden Key.”

Bontle is highly engaged with Golden Key and is looking forward to being more involved in 2022.

“Having served the University of Cape Town Chapter as a service director this year has nurtured my love for service,” Bontle shares. “It has grown me into a kind and compassionate individual who seeks to lend a helping hand, wherever and whenever possible. I look forward to more growth and new experiences as co-president of the chapter in 2022.”

Bontle is very thankful for her family’s support.

“My heartfelt appreciation to my family for their support in all my endeavors and for believing in me in times when I doubted myself,” Bontle mentions. “They are the reason I am the woman I am today, and for that, I am grateful. I hope this is a testament that your hard work has not gone in vain. The scholarship will go a long way in easing financial pressure off my family as I head into my final year.”

Bontle is very thankful for receiving this award.

“It is an absolute honor to be a recipient of this award,” Bontle says. “It feels surreal, and I am immensely grateful to Golden Key International Honor Society to have awarded me this golden opportunity. This serves as encouragement to continue working hard and strengthen my commitment to serving the community at large. I am humbled by this recognition and hope to inspire those around me to give their best in whatever they do.”

Thank you for being a part of the Golden Key family, Bontle; we wish you the best of luck as you finish your degree! 

Golden Key is happy to introduce Kieron Baart, one of Golden Key’s 2021 Undergrad Achievement Award winners. Kieron is a fourth-year Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Pretoria and plans to specialize in Aeronautics.

“Receiving this award, especially in these uncertain times, humbles me greatly,” Kieron says. “The money herein not only does wonders for cutting the burden of my ever-increasing tuitional expenses but will go towards funding my fourth-year Engineering research project at the University of Pretoria.”

Kieron is extremely honored not only to receive this award but also, to be a member of Golden Key.

“However, even more imperative than the award prize itself, is the privilege associated with being part of a community that does more,” Kieron shares. “No matter whether you are from the concrete jungle of New York City, or in my case, the slightly backward, strange and lovingly peculiar streets of Grahamstown, South Africa, each of us has the ability to be better, do more and work harder.”

Kieron’s ability to be better, do more and work harder becomes apparent in his extensive volunteer experience.

“Since September of 2020, I have been a volunteer with the Aircraft for Rhino and Environmental Defense (AREND),” Kieron mentions. “This is a university-sponsored program that specializes in building, researching and testing of drones for anti-rhino poaching purposes. I have also completed community service for Brookshaw Old Age Home in Grahamstown, where I helped set up a COVID ward for an outbreak and refurbished old oxygen machines for the frail care.”

In addition to Kieron’s volunteer efforts, he serves as an intern and teaching assistant.

“I have been working as an intern for Brayfoil Technologies–a tech startup that specializes in wing morphing technology to be utilized on wind turbines– since January 2021,” Kieron reveals. “Additionally, I have served as a teaching assistant for the University of Pretoria in the module MGC 110, Graphical Communication since January 2020.”

Along with Kieron’s work and volunteer experience, he has received many awards for his achievements.

“I received the 2018 IEBT Top 1% Problem Solving (2018) Award, 2018 IEBT Top 1% Critical Thinking Award, 2018 Academic Honours, Dean’s List for Mechanical Engineering in both 2019 and 2020,” Kieron mentions. “And as of 2021, I have 23 distinctions achieved out of 27 modules written.”

Kieron plans to continue his hard work as he finishes his degree and pursues his career.

“I only see this award compelling me to do just that, [work harder], and perhaps, in time, I will be able to make a much-needed positive contribution to the place I call home,” Kieron explains. At the end of the day, it’s the community with which we reside that we work for. Thank you, Golden Key.”

Thank you for being a part of the Golden Key family, Kieron; we wish you the best of luck finishing your Mechanical Engineering degree!

Golden Key is happy to introduce Jackie Libon, one of Golden Key’s 2021 Undergrad Achievement Award winners. Jackie is studying a Bachelor of Science in the Honors Nursing program at the University of Alberta.

“I am delighted to accept the 2021 Undergraduate Achievement Award with the Golden Key International Honour Society,” says Jackie. “This award allows me to reflect on my personal and professional achievements, and I am proud to uphold Golden Key’s pillars of academics, leadership, and service.”

Jackie’s passion for upholding Golden Key’s pillars was ignited when she joined GK her freshman year.

“I am from Edmonton, Alberta, and I have been a Golden Key member since my first year of university,” Jackie remarks. “Since then, I have become passionate about furthering Golden Key’s pillars by obtaining a variety of volunteering and leadership positions.”

Jackie has a strong passion for volunteerism and stays active in her community.

“Some of my volunteering positions include being a Health Promotion Assistant for the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Mealtime Companion and Community Visitor for Alberta Health Services, Teacher’s Helper for a local elementary school, and Mentor and Research Volunteer for the Faculty of Nursing,” Jackie shares. 

Jackie’s hard work doesn’t stop at volunteering; she has also held many leadership roles throughout her academic career.

“Some of my leadership positions include being the former VP Academic and now current President of the Health Sciences Students’ Association, Student Lead for the Child Health Interest Group, and being the Founder & President for Community, Advocacy, Philanthropy, & Equity (CAPE) Student Group,” Jackie explains. “I would like to highlight CAPE especially, as this group has a variety of community partnerships and engages our members by providing them with philanthropic and leadership opportunities to create a community-driven by altruism.”

Jackie’s hard work and dedication can be seen in the awards and accolades she has received. 

“I have previously won the Jason Lang Scholarship (2018-2021), University of Alberta Centenary Undergraduate Award (2021), Big Brother Big Sister Leadership Award (2021), and Margaret Baxter Scholarship in Nursing (2021),” Jackie reveals. “In addition, I have been a Dean’s List Honoree from 2018-2021.”

Jackie is grateful to Golden Key for the opportunity to further her academic career.

“Once again – I would like to thank Golden Key for inspiring me to continue on my academic, leadership and service journey and I am looking forward to all I can accomplish in my future endeavors,” Jackie mentions. 

Thank you for being a part of the Golden Key family, Jackie; we wish you the best of luck finishing your nursing program!