First Student Recipient of Amity Difference Maker Award, Brooke T., Uses Grant Funds to Further Her Goals of Inclusion for the Deaf Community

NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN THROUGH FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2026. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND SUBMIT A NOMINATION FOR THE AMITY DIFFERENCE MAKER AWARD.

FIRST EVER STUDENT AND STAFF AMITY AWARD WINNERS

The Upper Arlington Education Foundation (UA+Ed) was honored to introduce a meaningful new recognition during the 2025-26 school year: the Amity Difference Maker Awards (ADM). Created through the generosity of an Upper Arlington family, these awards shine a light on students and staff who elevate our schools by fostering environments where every person feels safe, valued, and heard.

Rooted in the belief that kindness, inclusion, and connection have the power to transform a community, the Amity Awards celebrate staff and students who quietly but powerfully embody these values each day. 

The first-ever staff recipient of the Amity Difference Maker Award is Kati Nelson, Administrative Secretary for Central Registration—and the very first point of contact for many families entering the district. Kati fosters a sense of belonging, equity, and access allowing every family to feel at home in Upper Arlington Schools. Kati exemplifies the district’s motto, “Start With Heart,” in every interaction.

The first student recipient of the Amity Difference Maker Award is senior, Brooke T., a remarkable leader whose empathy and initiative are transforming our school community. Inspired by her friendship with a Deaf peer, Brooke has become a passionate advocate for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. She interprets daily conversations, teaches American Sign Language (ASL) to students and staff, and raises awareness of Deaf culture with compassion and confidence.

Brooke founded an ASL Club open to both staff and students, and she is currently partnering with a teacher to design a visual communication system that will ensure all students receive real-time alerts—an innovation that will enhance safety and accessibility throughout the school. Her nominator shared:

Brooke finds innovative ways to spread compassion and foster a sense of belonging for every student and staff member, especially those who are d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She is driving an initiative to make our schools safer through technology and community partnerships. She speaks up, advocates, and takes action to create meaningful change. Brooke is passionate about bringing awareness to the Deaf/Hard of Hearing community and ASL.

Recipients of the Amity Difference Maker Award receive a $1,000 grant from Upper Arlington Education Foundation to fund a project of their choosing to support and expand their impact.

BROOKE T. USES HER AWARD TO TAKE ASL STUDENTS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM FOR LIVED EXPERIENCE

Brooke used her funds to create an immersive and authentic learning experience for ASL III students in which she designed a field trip where American Sign Language wasn’t just practiced, but lived. Her goal was to give students the opportunity to communicate primarily through sign language deepening both their fluency and their understanding of Deaf culture. Brooke said of planning her field trip,

My main goal was to take ASL beyond the classroom. I wanted ASL III students to experience what it’s like to rely on signing in real-world settings instead of speech [class]. My hope was that it would help them better understand some of the everyday communication experiences Deaf and hard-of-hearing students face, while also showing how powerful ASL can be in building confidence and connection.

The class traveled to the Ohio History Connection where they participated in a guided tour delivered entirely in sign language. Students engaged directly with the tour guide and one another without relying on spoken communication, creating an environment that mirrored the experiences of Deaf individuals. It was transformative for students to move beyond classroom exercises into authentic, meaningful interaction.

The experience continued over lunch at Budd Dairy Food Hall, where students were encouraged to communicate exclusively through sign language. This part of the trip highlighted a unique and often overlooked challenge: balancing eating while “talking” with one’s hands. Students quickly realized the extra level of awareness and coordination required, fostering a deeper sense of empathy and appreciation for the daily experiences of Deaf individuals. Brooke noted, 

It was really rewarding to see students push past their initial nerves and truly try things like signing in public, problem-solving when they didn’t know a sign, and supporting each other throughout the day. Their confidence in signing abilities grew significantly over the course of the trip, which made the experience feel very meaningful overall.

By creating a space where students could fully immerse themselves in sign language, Brooke helped bridge the gap between learning and lived experience.

As the inaugural winner of the Amity Difference Maker Award, Brooke T. has set a high standard for future recipients. Her project not only enriched her classmates’ education but also reinforced the importance of inclusion, empathy, and experiential learning.

Through the Amity Difference Maker Awards, we celebrate the quiet leaders and bold change-makers in our schools who remind us that even the smallest acts of kindness can transform a community.

NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN THROUGH FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2026

The ADM awards are made possible through the Amity Difference Makers Fund, established in 2024, through a partnership with the Upper Arlington Education Foundation (UA+Ed), Upper Arlington Schools, and generous community donors. The Fund is rooted in the belief that supporting a positive school climate is essential to engaged learning and student success.

Nominations for the Amity Difference Maker Awards are now open and will be open through Friday, May 29, 2026. To learn more about this award and to submit a nomination, please click HERE.

For questions about the Amity Difference Maker Awards or to support this award personally, please contact Alice at alice@uaeducationfoundation.com. 

About The Upper Arlington Education Foundation

The Upper Arlington Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides access to meaningful opportunities for students that are beyond the budget of the Upper Arlington School District. Established in 1985, UA+Ed is permanently structured to fund programs and projects today and for generations to come. The Upper Arlington Alumni Association is an important part of the foundation and keeps graduates connected, engaged, and motivated to pay it forward.