SYLVANIA, Ohio — Silence and volleyball typically don’t go together, but on Tuesday night they did.
Jonni Parker, founder of the nonprofit organization Chasing Greatness, visited Northview High School to spread awareness for the hearing loss community.
"Silent Set is something that’s specific to our foundation Chasing Greatness where we provide funding opportunities for children, 18 years and younger, to receive hearing aids,” she said.
Parker has worn hearing aids since she was four years old and made it her mission to raise awareness so children do not miss out on the experience of sound.
“Our foundation is the awareness of the topic of hearing loss and how people who have a hearing deficit may live their day-to-day life as not many people go an hour or five minutes without silence," she said. "Being put in that situation kind of opens your eyes to that awareness of a hearing deficit.”
The fundraiser also impacts the Northview community firsthand, as sophomore middle blocker Gia Varwig was born with profound hearing loss, where a person only hears very loud sounds, not including speech.
“I think it’s important because it gives kids a chance to hear so that they’re not just learning sign language," Varwig said. "They can get a chance to hear better.”
In just the Silent Set night alone, Chasing Greatness raised over $1,300. Parker hopes to continue inspiring children to not view their impairment as a setback and to know there is a community that supports them.
“Being able to have that platform and the opportunities to chase greatness myself means the world to me," Parker said. "I hope that I can keep showing that and be a role model for young kids to set out and do what they want to do with their life.”