The Churchill Fellowship
On 27th July 2007 Olivia was awarded The Sir William Kilpatrick Churchill Fellowship at Government House. This Fellowship provides the opportunity and financial means to travel overseas to undertake an area of study that is not available in Australia. The purpose of her award was to study mentoring programs and workshop activities associated with hearing impairment so as to build confidence, self-empowerment and leadership qualities for deaf adolescents attending mainstream schools in Australia.
This Fellowship enabled Olivia to travel to USA, England and Norway in June and July 2008. She attended the Alexander Graham Bell Association (AG Bell) for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing's 48th Biennial Convention in Wisconsin. This Convention involved leading academics worldwide who gathered to share the latest research regarding the educational and social development of deaf people. Importantly it offered her a chance to meet professionals who had expertise in mentoring deaf adolescents.
Approximately 17 high school students aged 15-18 with hearing loss and three co-facilitators came together in Milwaukee from June 24-28, 2008, for the Leadership Opportunities For Teens Program (LOFT) at Hilton Hotel. The LOFT participants flew in from all over the United States.
During the four days together, the participants explored leadership in its many different aspects through workshops, self-exploration, group activities, role playing scenarios and debates. They examined various skills to encourage development and strength within themselves. Most importantly, they learned how to communicate with and listen more effectively to others.
For many of the teenagers, LOFT was a life changing experience. They will have taken their newly learned skills and ideas back with them to their mainstream schools across the United States.
Participants also appreciated the opportunity to share their experiences as people with a hearing loss. The final night at AG Bell's Opening Ceremony was a very emotional experience as they shared how LOFT had impacted upon their future dreams.
On her return, Olivia shared through Hear For You the knowledge and experience that she has gained. She and her fellow mentors are now able to put into practice new skills in areas such as program structure and content.
Click here for more information on The Sir William Kilpatrick Churchill Fellowship »
