July 29, 2021 — The Vision Council (TVC) announced that the Opening Your Eyes Scholarship Program’s selection committee has chosen the first round of scholarship recipients. 

Seven recipients were selected and notified this month. The Opening Your Eyes Scholarship Program is intended to provide financial assistance and career guidance to high school seniors and recent high school graduates from marginalized communities who show an interest in the eyecare and optical industry.

In an effort to provide more students with the opportunity to participate, the online application has been extended for two additional rounds. The second round closes on Monday, Aug. 2, with applicants notified by Monday, Aug. 9. The final round closes on Friday, Aug. 20, with applicants notified by Friday, Aug. 27.

“The scholarship selection committee is thrilled to recognize these seven highly deserving students with the first of the Opening Your Eyes Scholarship Program scholarships,” says Tarrence Lackran, director of programs and partnerships at TVC and a member of the scholarship selection committee. “We were impressed by the caliber of applicants and are excited to help these promising students launch their educations and careers. Furthermore, by extending the application deadline through August 20, The Vision Council is demonstrating our commitment to shaping the industry’s future through diversity and inclusion.”

First round scholarship recipients include Melissa Bottex, Jaedon-King Fletcher, Diya Folia, Aaron Nyambe, Genesis Opokularbi, Anastacia Paul, and JonChris Valerio. 

“I’m so happy to receive such an amazing opportunity, and I look forward to joining this industry and going on this journey to earn my degree in this in opticianry,” says Fletcher.

To-date, more than $330,000 has been pledged towards the Opening Your Eyes Scholarship Program. Supporters include: EssilorLuxottica, $100,000; National Vision, Inc., $90,000; Luxury Optical Holdings, $83,838; CooperVision, $10,000; The Vision Council and RX, $10,000; Europa Eyewear, $7,000; De Rigo REM, $5,000; MyEyeDr., $5,000; Modo Eyewear, $3,000; Jobson, $1,000; Eschenbach Optik, $1,000; and Opticians Association of America, $1,000. More than $25,000 has been donated by independent retailers, individual donors, and auction bids from a virtual auction held in January.

For scholarships for the 2021–2022 school year, eligible students must be interested in pursuing an Associates Degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing from either Georgia Piedmont Technical College or New York City Technical College. Scholarships will cover tuition and fees, and $250 allowance per semester for books and supplies. Scholarships are renewable each semester upon successful completion of all course work and internship/mentorship requirements. The program does not include admittance to the colleges; students must apply separately to the ophthalmic dispensing programs.

For eligibility requirements and to view the application: thevisioncouncil.org/members/open-your-eyes-scholarship-application.