Pride Power Progress

May 2021

Former "Students/Apprentices To Leadership" Now Working With State Associations

These former Students/Apprentices who have attended the OAA Leadership Training Classes are NOW working with YOUR state association! We are better because of them!

Society of Connecticut Opticians

Emmalee Cuevas

Jen Haddad

Stacy Evans

Minerva Maldonado

Opticians Association of Rhode Island

Hailey Hicks

Opticians Association of Georgia

Tiffany Rosell

Opticians Association of Michigan

David Ellis

Tina Luka

Opticians Association of Ohio

Angelique Richardson

Opticians Association of Massachusetts

Lisa Bourque

Jen Marcelin

Jax Ledoux

Jen Hyde

Evan Wong

Angelo Guevera

Bill Rheume

Justine Pearson

Patricia McIntire

Kyle Beaudet

Eleni Romniou

Quyen Glowik

Bravo to you for stepping into leadership positions!!

Interested in bringing on a student/apprentice  to your board? Contact us here  Please let us know if we have missed anyone!

Find Out What These Committees Are Doing for YOU!

Diversity and Inclusion Committee

Chair: Tyja Sherman Members: Lanard Atkins, Dibby Bartlett, Thomas Blair Jr, Mario Calderon, May Hwen, Jen Marcelin Mission: To support & encourage diversity & inclusion within the field of opticianry.  Current projects: Creating Videos and Media Content that bring awareness to the optical industry and highlight diversity and inclusion. A mentorship program which assists with high school students transitioning to a 1st-year college optician student.  Planning for the next Leadership Conference to encourage and make people aware of how to lead with value. Support the Open Your Eyes campaign any way possible. " The Diversity & Inclusion committee is so important because we speak not to dismantle but to lift others. As a committee, our goal is to encourage and make people aware." Tyja Sherman

Membership Committee

Chair: Donna Hatch Members: Russ Fritz, Diane Charles, Moses Nawlo, Minerva Maldonado, Shirley Earley, Doug Pelkey, Tina Luka, Paul Peters, Dibby Bartlett Mission:   To start and build state societies and build membership. Current Projects: Starting state associations in states where there are none. Helping new state associations start up, by laws, non profit status, educational seminars. Helping opticians realize the value of membership to both state associations and OAA. Building relationships with state associations.    "Our Goal is to encourage opticians to grow their profession thru the OAA. Membership is the Key to growth " Donna Hatch

You can renew your membership by simply clicking here!

Attention New Yorkers! Attention Atlantans! Open Your Eyes Scholarship Online Application Is Now Open Find More Info Here

Meet Brittany Higgins! Britt is the OAA's newest newsletter assistant and writer! She is a 2021 Student to Leadership winner and is starting her second year in the Vision Care Program at Roane State Community College. Britt is a published author of the 'Eternally Wicked' series. She has a beautiful and sweet daughter. Welcome Britt!

MAY SUN.23 Society of Connecticut Opticians Virtual Spring CEC's More Information Here JUNE WED. 2 -SAT 5 Vision Expo East The complete event for ophthalmic professionals — where eyecare meets eyewear; and where education, fashion and innovation mingle. Orlando, FLA INFO & REGISTRATION SAT. 19—SUN. 20 Opticians Association of Georgia Spring CE Meeting INFO & REGISTRATION SAT. 26—SUN. 27 South Carolina Opticians Association Continuing Education Meeting INFO & REGISTRATION See Full Calendar Here