ST. LOUIS—The American Optometric Association’s charitable foundation, Optometry Cares, announced the winners of five distinct scholarship winners for 2015. Recipients of the InfantSEE Scholarship Grant, Dr. Seymour Galina Grant, Dr. Pat & Patrick Cummings Scholarship and Bernard Maitenaz Scholarship are encouraged to make a difference for their community and the profession of optometry.

Sarah Kuipers of Indiana University School of Optometry was honored first place for the InfantSEE Scholarship Grant, earning $5,000, and Kyle Stott of Southern College of Optometry was runner-up, earning $2,500. The grant was sponsored by Vision West, Inc. and requires third-year optometry students to write an essay describing their commitment to children’s vision. They must also desire to participate in the InfantSEE program, which provides free comprehensive eye and vision assessments for infants within the first year of life.

Leanne Roach, a third-year student at University of Houston’s College of Optometry, received the Dr. Seymour Galina Grant of $2,500. Applicants of the grant were required to write an essay about developing skills through financial planning or work experience during or before optometry school that will be applied in a professional optometric practice.

Fourth-year student Amy Puerto from Southern College of Optometry was honored with the Dr. Pat & Patrick Cummings Scholarship of $5,000. This scholarship was created in tribute to a father and son and was established through Optometry Cares. The scholarship is generously funded by numerous individual donors, as well as a large contribution from Johnson & Johnson Vision Care.

Laura Chen, a third-year student of New England College of Optometry is the first recipient of the new Bernard Maitenaz Scholarship, earning $10,000. Sponsored by Essilor, the scholarship was created and introduced in 2014, and honors Bernard Maitenaz, the inventor of the Varilux lens. Applicants must demonstrate leadership and participation in school and community activities, honors and work experience, among other requirements. Chen submitted a video, regarding the impact of vision.

Learn more about endowment and scholarships offered through Optometry Cares or make a donation to support these scholarships by visiting www.aoafoundation.org/endowment-fund.