Frances Dolan Endeavour Award Runner-Up 2024

We were honoured to visit Notre Dame High School recently to present an award to a very inspiring young deaf person. Abrar Rhouma was completely unaware that she had been nominated by her Teacher of the Deaf, Mrs Jack. Mrs Jack shared with us the challenging journey Abrar has been on and why she felt it was important for Abrar to receive this award.

“Abrar received cochlear implants in S4, an important and decisive time in a young person’s educational life. She missed a lot of her classes and her prelims due to the operation and recovery. Despite this setback, it did not stop or hold back Abrar from achieving her dreams. She came back to school and sat all her prelims and passed all her exams.

None of this came easy. She worked tirelessly by spending time on listening activities in between her studying and homework, to ensure she gets the most from her cochlear implants. Her implants don’t replace the hearing loss she has but gives her access to sound so listening can still be challenging. Despite all these challenges that have come her way, she passed her S5 exams, gaining 2 As and 3Bs at Higher level, which is astonishing considering what she has come through.

Abrar has now completed S6, despite already having the grades she needs to attend University. She has received an unconditional offer at University for Optometry, and she hopes to combine this course with Audiology in the future. I have no doubt whatsoever that she will achieve anything she puts her mind to.

Aside from her academic achievements, Abrar is a valued member of her school. She is kind, friendly and extremely hard working. Despite everything she has been through, she always has a smile on her face.”

We are delighted to announce that Abrar received our runner-up award for The Frances Dolan Endeavour Award 2024. Well done, Abrar! You are an inspiration!