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Author: Kerry McCawley

Get to know the CEO: Melissa Leitzell

Get to know the CEO: Melissa Leitzell

Golden Key is proud to introduce our very own Chief Executive Officer, Melissa Leitzell. Melissa has been working at Golden Key for 13 years. She started working at Golden Key as the Vice President in 2009 and was promoted to CEO in 2019.  “As a […]

GK Scholarships 2021: Buntle Khumalo

GK Scholarships 2021: Buntle Khumalo

Golden Key is happy to introduce Buntle Khumalo, one of Golden Key’s 2021 Outstanding Member Award winners. Buntle earned her Bachelor of Commerce, Law in 2018 from the University of Johannesburg.  “I am honoured to receive the Outstanding Member Award and hope to continue demonstrating […]

GK Scholarships 2021: Julia Beker

GK Scholarships 2021: Julia Beker

Golden Key is happy to introduce Julia Beker, one of Golden Key’s 2021 Outstanding Member Award winners. Julia studies psychology at the University of Canterbury.

“I am honoured and humbled to receive the Golden Key Outstanding Member Award for 2021,” Julia says. “This year with Golden Key has brought a myriad of opportunities and connections, and with that came a great deal of hard work, resilience, and dedication behind the scenes. I feel truly lucky to have these efforts recognised.”

Julia is thankful for everyone who has supported her.

“Most importantly, I would like to acknowledge the amazing people that both supported me and worked alongside me, without whom this award would not be possible,” Julia mentions. “My fellow chapter member and friend, Amy Jones, co-directed the GK Mentorship Programme with me and was the most amazing support system throughout the year. Also, my presidents, Sujin and Suyoun Jung, who ran the University of Canterbury chapter with poise and resilience.”

She is extremely dedicated to the betterment of her community.

“Personally, I am wholly dedicated to the work that I do in the community and running the Golden Key Mentorship Programme for 2021 was another rewarding experience,” Julia shares. “Together, we created a programme that fostered passion and direction in young students; the smiles on their faces during the final presentation evenings were a tribute to the impact that such a program can make. Golden Key continues to motivate me to engage in this community work, making a small impact wherever I can.”

Julia is thankful to Golden Key for allowing her to express her passion for academic excellence. 

“Golden Key also fosters my passion for academic excellence, driving me to gain the knowledge I need to make a difference in the world,” Julia reveals. “Studying psychology means being wholly dedicated to your field, and I hope to one day use my theoretical knowledge as well as the skills I have learnt through volunteering to better the lives of others, both at an individual and societal level.”

She is grateful to Golden Key for awarding her this scholarship.

“Overall, this award means so much to receive; however it represents something much bigger than just myself,” Julia says. “It represents my community, including everyone who came before me, stands with me, and is to come after me, all of whom are doing what they can to see a real change in this world.”

Thank you for being a part of the Golden Key family, Julia; we wish you the best of luck completing your psychology degree!

GK Scholarships 2021: Tatenda Dandara

GK Scholarships 2021: Tatenda Dandara

Golden Key is happy to introduce Tatenda Dandara, one of Golden Key’s 2021 Outstanding Member Award winners. Tatenda studies a Bachelor of Arts Honours specializing in Linguistics at the University of Cape Town. “I would like to express my gratitude for being awarded this Golden […]

GK Scholarships 2021: Alejandra Delgado

GK Scholarships 2021: Alejandra Delgado

Golden Key is happy to introduce Alejandra Delgado, one of Golden Key’s 2021 Graduate Scholarship Award winners. Alejandra is pursuing a degree in medicine at the University of Florida. “This award reflects the hard work I put into attending my dream school, the University of […]

GK Scholarships 2021: Kyle Dortch

GK Scholarships 2021: Kyle Dortch

Golden Key is happy to introduce Kyle Dortch, one of Golden Key’s 2021 Graduate Scholarship Award winners. Kyle started studying for his Master’s in Music Education at East Carolina University in the fall of 2020 and joined Golden Key in the spring of 2021.

“I wasn’t active in any honors societies in my undergrad years and thought it would be a great opportunity to strengthen my resume,” Kyle says. “Several of my friends wondered why I would join an organization on campus when I was a Distance Education student, but I knew I could still help out even virtually!”

Kyle is highly involved in his Golden Key chapter.

“After being inducted and officer positions came up, I volunteered to be Director of Membership for ECU’s chapter,” Kyle mentions. “I have served in that capacity since and regularly help out with membership drives and communications and programming, even being away from campus. The chapter has made it an acclimating job, and I have helped out with several new members and on the admin team.”

Kyle is not only a graduate student but a full-time teacher and father.

“Outside of graduate school, I am a full-time Elementary Orchestra teacher in Alamance County, NC,” Kyle shares. “I received my undergraduate degree from North Carolina A&T in Music Education in 2010 and have been teaching music ever since. I have two children, a 10-year-old son and a 6-year-old daughter.”

Kyle is dedicated to his professional development and is involved in multiple academic societies.

“At East Carolina, I am also involved with the Omicron Delta Kappa Honors Society, the Graduate and Professional Student Senate, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity,” Kyle remarks. “In my personal life, I am active with Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, of which I am an alumni advisor, Freemasonry in Greensboro Lodge no. 76, the National Association for Music Education, the National Association of Educators, specifically our Alamance Chapter, and am an avid runner and music arranger. I also work as the adjunct percussion instructor at Savannah State University in Savannah, Georgia, teaching online.”

Kyle is grateful to be a part of Golden Key.

“Golden Key represents a chance for me to push myself in both an academic and leadership focus,” Kyle says. “This award allows me to finish paying for my master’s degree, and as a working teacher dad of two children, being able to afford a degree is incredibly important.”

Kyle is thankful to Golden Key for this scholarship and encourages others to join Golden Key.

“Knowing that Golden Key has provided me a massive return for my time, effort, and monetary investment, I encourage everyone who has a chance to join this amazing organization to do so and begin investing in their future,” Kyle exclaims.

Thank you for being a part of the Golden Key family, Kyle; we wish you the best of luck finishing your Master’s in Music Education!

GK Scholarships 2021: Ryan Brownlee

GK Scholarships 2021: Ryan Brownlee

Golden Key is happy to introduce Ryan Brownlee, one of Golden Key’s 2021 Undergrad Achievement Award winners. Ryan is a sophomore at Mercer University, studying Biochemistry and Molecular biology. “Winning this scholarship is a blessing. It allows for me to further pursue my research projects […]

GK Scholarships 2021: Amal Koshy George

GK Scholarships 2021: Amal Koshy George

Golden Key is happy to introduce Amal Koshy George, one of Golden Key’s 2021 Undergrad Achievement Award winners. Amal studies a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of New Brunswick and will be graduating in 2022. “I moved to Canada in 2019 to […]

GK Scholarships 2021: Natnael Berhane Debru

GK Scholarships 2021: Natnael Berhane Debru

Golden Key is happy to introduce Natnael Berhane Debru, one of Golden Key’s 2021 Undergrad Achievement Award winners. Natnael is from Asmara, Eritrea, studying physics at Khalifa University and will be graduating in the Spring of 2023.

“I have always been curious to study the fundamental laws of nature, and I chose a degree in physics as it would satisfy my curiosity while enabling me to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to go into an academic career in physics research,” Natnael says.

Natnael plans to further his studies after obtaining his bachelor’s.

“Once I graduate, I plan to further my studies by pursuing graduate studies in physics and eventually a Ph.D.,” Natnael reveals.

“Being a recipient of this award is incredibly important to me as it is a testament to my efforts in academic excellence and community service; values I know Golden Key is very keen on,” Nanael explains. “As such, this award is a huge encouragement for me and will push me to make the most of my very fortunate position and pursue my aims further. In particular, this award will motivate me to enhance my efforts to pursue a career in scientific research and inspire younger students, who might come from a background that looks upon it unfavorably, to do the same.”

Natnael plans to use his scholarship to further his education.

“As an international student intending to apply to graduate schools across the world, the scholarship will be of great benefit to me, and I plan to use it towards my graduate school application fees and related costs,” Natnael mentions.

Natnael is thankful for all the support he has received throughout his academic journey.

“I would like to thank my family, who have always supported and encouraged me throughout my academic journey, as well as my friends, professors and mentors, without whose support I would not have been able to stand in the position I am in,” Natnael remarks.

Natnael advises new Golden Key members to keep working hard.

“I encourage new Golden Key members to keep doing what they are doing and uphold Golden Key values by pursuing academic excellence in the context of the greater community,” Natnael shares.

Thank you for being a part of the Golden Key family, Natnael; we wish you the best of luck applying to graduate school!

GK Scholarships 2021: Jingyi He

GK Scholarships 2021: Jingyi He

Golden Key is happy to introduce Jingyi He, one of Golden Key’s 2021 Undergrad Achievement Award winners. Jingyi is from Edmonton, Alberta, studying for a Bachelor in Nursing Honours at the University of Alberta and will graduate in June of 2023. “I have always been […]