Meet Shaw, a recent high school graduate with hearing loss who will be playing Division III field hockey this fall! 

When Shaw was born, she failed her newborn hearing screening at the hospital but then “passed” the follow-up screening. However, by her first birthday, her parents noticed she was meeting all developmental milestones except for talking. They took her for another hearing test, which included an ABR for the first time, and she failed. Shaw later became a candidate for cochlear implants, receiving her first implant at two and a half years old and her second one at five years old. 

Shaw participated in Clarke’s Birth to Age Three Program. Shortly after receiving her first cochlear implant, she enrolled in Clarke’s Preschool Program, spending her mornings there and her afternoons in a mainstream daycare. 

When Shaw fully transitioned to a mainstream school, Clarke supported her parents during IEP meetings and helped develop a learning plan when they opted for a private school. She later received mainstream services from a Clarke teacher of the deaf through elementary school. 

Shaw has a passion for working with children, starting her third summer as a camp counselor. She also worked as an aftercare helper for elementary school students during the school year. Shaw loves to read, bake, explore new places, spend time outdoors and of course, spend time with friends and family. 

Shaw’s love for sports began early. She started playing tennis at three years old but wanted to play a team sport. In the fifth grade, Shaw fell in love with field hockey. She has been playing competitive field hockey since 2017 and will continue her field hockey career at the collegiate level. 

This fall, Shaw will be a freshman at Hamilton College, ready to take on new challenges both academically and athletically!