<div dir='auto'><div data-smartmail="gmail_signature" dir="auto"><br></div><div class="gmail_quote" dir="auto"><br type="attribution"><blockquote class="quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div>
<b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br>
</b> <br>
<b>National Federation of the Blind Announces 2018 Scholarship Program
Finalists<br>
<br>
Baltimore, Maryland (May 29, 2018): </b>The National Federation of the
Blind (NFB), the nation�s oldest and largest organization of blind
people, today announced the finalists for its 2018 Scholarship Program,
which awards thirty scholarships each year to recognize achievement by
blind scholars. The students are listed below in alphabetical order with
their home states and vocational goals.<br>
<ul><li>Naim Muawia Abu-El Hawa, VA: Diplomat
</li><li>Alexandra Alfonso, DC: Music, Education, and Pre-law
</li><li>Tasnim Alshuli, AZ: Professor
</li><li>Millad Bokhouri, PA: Medical program designer
</li><li>Tyron Bratcher, MD: Rehabilitation counselor
</li><li>Chrys Buckley, OR: Physician
</li><li>Ozgul Calicioglu, PA: Environmental sustainability specialist
</li><li>Olivia Charland, MA: Conservation biologist
</li><li>Purvi Contractor, TX: Aerospace
</li><li>Kenia Flores, NC: Civil rights attorney
</li><li>John Harrison, WI: Advocate
</li><li>Eric Harvey, CA: Near East cultural specialist
</li><li>Justin Heard, GA: Teacher
</li><li>J.D. Humphrey, MI: Ethnomedicine
</li><li>Trisha Kulkarni, OH: Software engineer
</li><li>Amanda Lannan, FL: Teacher education
</li><li>Shane Lowe, KY: Cyber security and business administration
</li><li>Seth Lowman, ID: Sound design and music production
</li><li>Sara Mornis, VT: Writing and psychology
</li><li>Connor Mullin, NJ: Cane travel instructor
</li><li>Sara Patnaude, VA: Victim�s advocate
</li><li>Menuka Rai, ND: Physical therapist
</li><li>Elizabeth Rouse, IA: Attorney
</li><li>Yasmine Marie Sarraf, AZ: Forensic scientist
</li><li>Caitlin Sarubbi, NY: Physician
</li><li>Rilee Sloan, OK: Attorney
</li><li>Harry Staley, Jr., TX: Autonomous vehicle development
</li><li>Matt Turner, ID: Economics and technology
</li><li>Cathy Tuton, OK: Dietician
</li><li>Paige Young, ME: Business administration
</li></ul> <br>
�The scholarship program is one of our most important initiatives,� said
Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. �We
are proud to honor these blind scholars, who are studying everything from
sound design to international diplomacy, and to welcome each of them to
our upcoming national convention and to the family of the National
Federation of the Blind. The accomplishments of these outstanding
students are proof of our conviction that we, the blind of this nation,
can live the lives we want; blindness does not hold us back.� <br>
<br>
Each finalist will attend the NFB�s seventy-eighth annual national
convention, beginning July 3, in Orlando, Florida, where the Scholarship
Committee will spend several days getting to know each student and then
decide which scholarship (ranging in value from $3,000 to $12,000) to
award each of them. The scholarship winners will then be announced at the
banquet of the NFB National Convention on Sunday, July 8.<br>
<br>
For more information on the National Federation of the Blind Scholarship
Program, visit
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/scholarships">www.nfb.org/scholarships</a>.
<br>
<b> <br>
<div align="center">###<br>
</div></b>
<br>
<b>About the National Federation of the Blind <br>
</b>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
<a href="http://www.nfb.org">www.nfb.org</a>. <br>
<br>
<b>CONTACT:<br>
</b>Chris Danielsen<br>
Director of Public Relations<br>
National Federation of the Blind<br>
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330<br>
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)<br>
<a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a><br>
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