Transitions Optical, Inc. announced the winners of its 2012 Students of Vision Scholarship Program, supported by the Transitions Healthy Sight for Life Fund.

More than 40 optical students from across North America submitted projects on how to be a leader in the optical industry, with 12 students being selected as scholarship winners.

“As the next generation of eye care professionals, it’s important for students to continue to set the bar in the optical industry,” said Tim Schmidt, industry relations and education manager, Transitions Optical. “The winning projects exemplified our leadership theme and showed that the students will never stop pushing the boundaries as eye care professionals.”

Students were asked to submit projects in one of three categories: Activity/Event, Multimedia and Other.

Top winners received $1,000 scholarships and the other winners received $500 scholarships. Additionally, the opticianry students will receive a trip to the ABO-NCLE National Education Conference in Washington, D.C. in November. While there, students will attend education courses, and present their projects during a poster session.

Students were encouraged to be creative when developing projects and the entries included websites, presentations, videos, posters and community outreach. Projects were judged by Transitions Optical representatives.

2012 Students of Vision Scholarship Winners

Top Entries

Latisha Grimes of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College who created a video on the importance of opticians in the optical field.

Ryan Nicholas of Western University of Health Sciences who developed a website, Facebook page and Twitter account providing direction and advice for Optometry graduates and entrepreneurs.

Additional Winners

  • Matthew Abrams, Durham Technical Community College
  • Grace Adebanjo, New York City College of Technology
  • Mawish Ali, New York City College of Technology
  • Roya Attarhousseini, UIW Rosenberg School of Optometry
  • Nilson Cayaditto, Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute
  • Avin Kishore, Douglas College
  • Mariel Ruocco, Camden County College
  • Matt Squires, University of Missouri- St. Louis College of Optometry
  • Evan Tirado, Raritan Valley Community College
  • Ryan Witt, Illinois College of Optometry