Transitions® Canada and the OAC Announce the Winners of the 2025 Students of Vision Scholarship Program
Wednesday, February 11 2026 | 15 h 06 min | News
Transitions® Optical, in collaboration with the Opticians Association of Canada (OAC), announces the winners of the 2025 Students of Vision Scholarship Program. Since its inception in 2008, the program has supported more than 50 students across Canada, helping nurture emerging talent and strengthen the future of the optical industry.
This year marked a milestone for the program, with 40 submissions – the highest number to date. Students were invited to develop a creative project demonstrating how they would inspire and educate young adults (ages 18-35) to choose dynamic lenses as part of their everyday eyewear. Entries were evaluated based on creativity, presentation, strategic thinking, and ethics. Following a competitive review process, the top three applicants have been selected:
1st Place – Jennifer Tam, Seneca Polytechnic
Recognized for her innovative in‑office patient education concept, Jennifer developed a UV exposure model that visually demonstrates how Transitions® lenses activate and block UV light. Her project also included an interactive guide to help deepen patient understanding and support meaningful conversations.
2nd Place – Michela Mariano, Cégep de Lanaudière à L’Assomption
Michela’s project presented a modern pop‑up event experience designed to reframe Transitions® lenses as an expression of personal style. Through immersive elements—including a UV photobooth and aesthetic‑led demo walls—her concept resonated strongly with younger consumers and their desire for fashionable, tech‑driven eyewear.
3rd Place – Calista Bokinac, University of Regina
Calista proposed a social‑media‑driven idea empowering wearers to become co‑creators of the Transitions® brand. Her submission included in‑person and virtual try‑on photobooths simulating real‑life lighting scenarios, paired with a social contest to drive engagement and community participation.
Each winner will receive a scholarship valued at $2,000, $1,500, or $1,000, along with a pair of Ray‑Ban® Meta smart glasses with Transitions® lenses. The top winner will also join Canadian eyecare professionals on an exclusive trip to experience the Aurora Borealis in Whitehorse, Northwest Territories.
The program continues to highlight the importance of engaging young adults who navigate constantly changing light environments—from screens to sunlight to indoor settings. Transitions® GEN S™ lenses are developed for this lifestyle, offering ultra‑fast adaptability, visual comfort, and stylish colour options suited to individual expression.
In 2026, Transitions will come back with another program to continue supporting the optical students and their vision on the optical industry and on eye health.
A folder of the top three entries can be found here: [WINNING SUBMISSIONS]
Source: Transitions Optical
Want to see more like this article? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e-newsletters!
