Meet Austin: A Successful Mentor and Budding Engineer 

Austin, a 2013 alum from Clarke in Northampton, MA, will be pursuing an undergraduate degree at UMass Amherst in the College of Engineering this fall. 

Diagnosed with profound hearing loss, Austin attended Clarke Northampton, where he benefited from Clarke’s Preschool and Early Childhood Program, which laid a strong foundation for success both inside and outside the classroom.  

Austin has always been drawn to leadership and helping others. His natural inclination to serve led him to tutor middle and high school students, where he not only provided academic support but also fostered self-confidence in his peers. This experience ignited a passion for mentorship and equipping others with the tools to succeed. 

In addition to his academic and mentoring achievements, Austin has demonstrated impressive professional skills, making a significant impact in his school’s IT department by troubleshooting technical issues in the classroom and ensuring smooth operations. 

Recently, Austin further honed his leadership skills by leading a webinar for parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. In this webinar, Austin aimed to reassure and inspire parents by highlighting the growth and possibilities that lie ahead. Through a personal narrative, Austin shared his own Listening and Spoken Language journey and current hobbies to demonstrate that a fulfilling and hopeful future is entirely achievable. This session was designed to comfort and encourage parents, showing them that their child’s potential is limitless. 

Austin is a 2024 recipient of the Caroline A. Yale Memorial Fund Scholarship. He plans to use the scholarship to advance his education and pursue his dreams in engineering, focusing on chemical or electrical engineering. 

To learn more about the Caroline A. Yale Memorial Fund Scholarship and this year’s recipients, click here.