[NABS-L] National Federation of the Blind Announces 2020 Scholarship Program Finalists

[Matthew Gip]

Congratulations to this year’s scholarship class! 
 
Baltimore, Maryland (May 6, 2020): The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the nation’s leading advocate for equal education of the blind, today announced the finalists for its annual scholarship program, which provides financial assistance and connects students with mentoring and other resources. The thirty scholarship finalists are listed below in alphabetical order with their home states and vocational goals.
 
Robert (Rob) Blachowicz, Arkansas: Counseling
Christopher (Chris) Bove, Rhode Island: Public Service
Brianna (Bri) Broadwater, Maryland: Psychologist or Education 
Michael (Mick) Carey-Thomann, Alaska: Lawyer 
Sean Carlson, Oregon: Vocational Rehabilitation Instructor
Natalie Charbonneau, Oregon: Animal Genetics and Conservation Research
Moreblessings Chikavanga, Texas: Civil Rights/Disability Law 
Kevin Darcy, Colorado: Anthropology Professor 
Matthew Duffell-Hoffman, South Carolina: Electrical Engineer
Paxton Franke, North Dakota: Forensic Pathology
Lauren (Elaine) Hardin, Georgia: Higher Education Student Affairs Administrator
Kaitlyn (Kat) Hippe, Wisconsin: Languages and Education
Emily Kiehl, Ohio: Information Technology
Josh Loebner, Tennessee: Inclusive Advertising
Sara Luna, Illinois: Museum Accessibility
Victor Marques, Michigan: Vision Rehabilitation Therapist and Access Technology Specialist 
Griffin Miller, Pennsylvania: Actuary
Brian Mucyo, Arizona: Human Rights Law
Marissa Nissley, New Jersey: Attorney
Sherry Pablo, California: Public Health, Health Policy and Management
Precious Perez, Massachusetts: Music Education
Teresita Rios, California: Attorney
Syed Rizvi, Massachusetts: Civil Rights Lawyer 
Dannielle Schutz, Nebraska: Medical Scientist
Nicolas (Nick) Spohn, Pennsylvania: Mechanical Engineer
Logan Stenzel, Minnesota: Finance and Technology Entrepreneur 
Marie Villaneda, Indiana: Orientation and Mobility Instructor  
Shane Wegner, Minnesota: Corporate Attorney
Alek Wolfe, Vermont: Broadcasting 
Brayan Zamarripa, Oklahoma: Media Production
 
“The scholarship program is one of our most important initiatives, and we will not allow anything - including the COVID19 pandemic - to diminish our commitment to recognizing excellence among blind students,” said Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “We are proud to honor these blind scholars, each of whom are raising expectations and breaking down barriers. The accomplishments of these outstanding students are proof that we, the blind of this nation, can live the lives we want; blindness does not hold us back.”
 
For more information about the National Federation of the Blind scholarship program, visit nfb.org/scholarships. 
 
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About the National Federation of the Blind 
The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded in 1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The NFB defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. We believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at www.nfb.org. 

Best,
Matt 

Matthew Gip
Groundskeeper | Blindness: Learning in New Dimensions (BLIND) Inc. 
100 East 22nd Street 
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55404
(612) 872-0100
2nd Vice President | Minnesota Association of Blind Students 
A Proud division of the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota 
matthewhgip at gmail.com 
(559) 375-2068