QI of Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand

Ursula Thynne

Ursula Thynne is a former Miss Deaf New Zealand! Ursula graduated from Auckland University in 2002 with a degree in biological sciences and physiology. She is currently completing a Certificate of Deaf Studies at Victoria University of Wellington—and working to create new opportunities for deaf young people.

Ursula is profoundly deaf, but she became a talented student and active member of the local deaf community. While managing studies and several part-time jobs to pay for them, she was named Miss Deaf New Zealand 2001 and took on a leadership role in the Asia Pacific Deaf Youth Camp 2002.

When she returned from camp, Ursula said it was an excellent forum to improve her ability to sign. She hopes to teach science to deaf students and create a support network for deaf undergraduates. She is working to organize a Miss Deaf World pageant and hopes the World Deaf Federation Youth Camp will approve the plan.

"Ursula is extremely talented and fully deserves the label of Young Achiever," says Takapuna Quota club member Ann Carroll. "Quota can feel very proud that fund-raising efforts and personal support help someone as deserving as Ursula reach her goals, because what Ursula puts back into the community—and the deaf community in particular—reaps rewards far beyond our imagining."