June 27, 2024 — On Thursday, June 20, the 33rd annual American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) Optometry Student Bowl took place during the American Optometric Association’s Optometry’s Meeting, gathering student representatives from 26 schools and colleges of optometry for a competition involving optometry-related questions created by a panel of optometric educators. More than 700 students and alumni gathered at Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville, TN, to cheer on their schools.
Tyson Montgomery from the Ohio State University College of Optometry won first prize, receiving a $2,000 award from the AOSA and a package of equipment for his postgraduation eyecare practice. The Ohio State University College of Optometry will keep the Ventura Cup until next year’s Optometry Student Bowl at Optometry’s Meeting 2025 in Minneapolis.
“EssilorLuxottica is proud to collaborate with the AOSA to bring one-of-a-kind educational opportunities like the Optometry Student Bowl to life and continue to help nurture the future of our profession,” says the event’s emcee, Ryan Parker, O.D., senior director of medical and professional affairs at EssilorLuxottica North America. “The event allows optometry students across the country to engage in education in a fun and innovative way. EssilorLuxottica applauds the passion for optometry showcased tonight by all the competitors, students, and alumni in the crowd.”
Karli Clark from the Illinois College of Optometry took second place and received a $1,500 award from the AOSA. Abbey Kuborn from the Indiana School of Optometry took third place and received $1,000 from the AOSA.
The Spirit Award was given to the Michigan College of Optometry for their outstanding support of every contestant during the event. The Spirit Award winner will be featured in next year’s Optometry Student Bowl hype video.
This year’s judges were Jacquie Bowen, O.D., vice president of the American Optometric Association, past president of the Colorado Optometric Association, member of the Northern Colorado Optometric Society and the Colorado Optometric Glaucoma Society, and a legislative key person in Colorado; Amanda Dexter, O.D., medical director of OptoPrep, past president of the California Optometric Association and the San Diego County Optometric Society, and a graduate of the Southern California College of Optometry; and Pete Hanlin, vice president of professional services at EssilorLuxottica.