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<b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br>
<br>
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>
<br>
<div align="center"><b>National Federation of the Blind Announces <br>
2013 Scholarship Program Winners<br>
</b></div>
<br>
<b>Baltimore, Maryland (May 7, 2013):</b> The
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/">National Federation of the Blind</a> (NFB),
the nation’s oldest and largest organization of blind people, today
announced the winners of its
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/scholarship-program">2013 Scholarship
Program</a>, which awards thirty scholarships each year to recognize
achievement by blind scholars. The winners are listed below in
alphabetical order with their home states and vocational goals:<br>
<br>
· Conrad Austen, MD:
History professor and disability historian<br>
· Cody Bair, CO: Tax
accountant (CPA)<br>
· Riki Burton, KY:
Teacher of the blind and visually impaired <br>
· Mark Colasurdo, NJ:
Doctor and research scientist in biological engineering <br>
· Angela Dehart, KY:
Elementary special education teacher (including severe disabilities)
<br>
· Stephanie DeLuca, TN:
Structural biology scientist with focus on biomolecules <br>
· Meg Dowell, IL:
Dietetic nutritionist, researcher, and journalist <br>
· Albert Elia, MA:
Lawyer - high tech disability and intellectual property law<br>
· Molly Faerber, RI:
Fiction author, writing instructor, publisher <br>
· Kristin Fleschner, MA:
Lawyer, federal government analyst<br>
· Juna Gjata, MA:
Undecided – considering journalist <br>
· Fredrick Hardyway, KS:
University professor of world history <br>
· Natasha Hubbard, VA:
Social worker, professional counselor, and life coach <br>
· Edgar Johnson, SC: High
school history
teacher
<br>
· Tyler Kavanaugh, KS:
Software developer of accessible appliances <br>
· Mi So Kwak, CA: High
school teacher/college professor<br>
· Domonique Lawless, LA:
Cane travel (O&M) instructor of blind students <br>
· Alex Loch, MN: Physical
therapist <br>
· Brooke Lovell, UT:
Marriage and family therapist<br>
· Julie McGinnity, MO:
Professor of voice and performer <br>
· Mona Minkara, FL:
University professor/researcher in quantum chemistry <br>
· Disa Muse, OK: Adult
education instructor, disability advocate <br>
· Treva Olivero,
LA: Teacher of blind students, K-12 <br>
· Steven Phelps, UT:
Licensed social worker, administrator, and advocate <br>
· Kaitlin Shelton, OH:
Board-certified music therapist <br>
· Jermaine
Siqueiros-Ramirez, CA: Vocational rehabilitation counselor,
rehabilitation psychologist <br>
· Ivy Wanta, NY:
Scientific researcher, possibly in physics <br>
· Kathryn Cornell
Webster, CT: Actuarial scientist and motivational speaker<br>
· Matthew Yeater, IN:
Professor of theology and evangelist <br>
· Stephanie Zundel, NJ:
Speech pathologist in a hospital setting <br>
<br>
“These students represent academic excellence, and many of them are
doubtless future leaders of this nation’s blind,” said Dr. Marc Maurer,
president of <a href="http://www.twitter.com/NFB_voice">the National
Federation of the Blind</a>. “They are forging a path in
disciplines as varied as engineering, theology, special education, law,
and psychiatry. They are proof of our conviction that we, the blind
of this nation, can compete on terms of equality with our sighted peers,
and we are very proud of their accomplishments.” <br>
<br>
In July each winner will attend the NFB’s seventy-third annual
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/national-convention">national convention</a>
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
convention on Saturday, July 6.<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>
<br>
<div align="center"><b>###<br>
</b> <br>
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<b>About the National Federation of the Blind<br><br>
</b>The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest, largest,
and most influential nationwide membership organization of blind people
in the United States. Founded in 1940, the NFB advocates for the
civil rights and equality of blind Americans, and develops innovative
education, technology, and training programs to provide the blind and
those who are losing vision with the tools they need to become
independent and successful. We need your support. To make a
donation, please go to
<a href="http://www.nfb.org/">www.nfb.org</a>.<br>
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