Scholarships & Grants

Hello all!  First off, I apologize that I am not able to attend such an honorable event; I am currently in Colorado as my brother and his wife have recently had a baby boy.  May 19th I graduated from Pacific University with my masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology and a gerontology certificate. I recently signed a contract for a job in Seattle working in a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility as a speech-language pathologist.  I am beyond thrilled to be working my dream job and helping people for the rest of my life as people have helped me. 

When I was 16 years old, I had a massive blood clot in my brain that went down to my heart, along with 3 strokes.  My family was told that I would never be the same, may never go to college, and at some point, my family was told that I may not survive the trauma to my brain. With my family/friend/community support, the amazing nurses, doctors and rehabilitation specialists, and teachers that took the time to work with me, I was able to talk, walk, graduate from high school, graduate with an undergraduate degree, and now my masters degree. My dream, my passion, my drive, my desire all steams from how people have helped me throughout the years and it is my duty to do the same.  I am committed to helping, assisting, advocating, and supporting others with my past experiences, my knowledge and skillset I have learned through professors and supervisors, and most importantly, through kindness and a smile. 

I would like to thank you for this scholarship from the bottom of my heart! I am beyond honored and grateful to receive this scholarship and support that you are giving me to fulfill my dreams and to help others.  I will take OREA's kindness with me in my practices Thank you again for this wonderful scholarship! 

-Haley Zakrzewski 
** Zakrzewski (Zahk-sh-eh-s-key)