TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – A deaf Florida State University student is one of just five students in the nation to receive a prestigious 2025 Graeme Clark Academic Scholarship.
“I was over the moon. I was thrilled,” FSU freshman Sophie Garris said when she learned she’d been selected. “It gave me the opportunity to serve as an inspiration to people who may be part of the deaf and hard of hearing community and to be able to advocate for inclusion.”
The scholarship from Cochlear North America is named after Professor Graeme Clark who invented the multi-channel cochlear implant.
Sophie Garris is navigating life and college at FSU with two cochlear implants.
She was born deaf, received her first implant at the age of four and the second one five years ago.
Garris is now studying education at FSU and she’s excited to share her cochlear implant journey with new friends and classmates.
“It’s definitely a surprise for some people,” Garris said. “Many people are very fascinated by it.”
She said college classes can be noisy and sounds can be muffled, but Sophie said she’s not shy about speaking up and asking professors to repeat things or asking to move to a closer seat.
“I find it quite funny because for me it’s just part of my daily life, but when other people realize without my cochlear implants, I can’t hear anything, or like there’s a few technologies I have to use to be able hear the same that other people can,” Garris said. “They just find it absolutely fascinating which I am thrilled to see.”
Sophie is studying education and working toward becoming an elementary school teacher in hopes of encouraging and inspiring other children who may be deaf or hard of hearing.
“I would love for them to know that you can do anything, even though there are some people who might tell you that you can’t do something because of these cochlear implants, you can. I believe you can do anything. You just have to put your mind to it,” Garris said.
Sophie also works as a mentor with Best Buddies in Tallahassee, which is committed to forging friendships and breaking down barriers for all students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
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