<html>
<body>
<br>
<b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br><br>
CONTACT:<br><br>
</b>Chris Danielsen<br><br>
Director of Public Relations<br><br>
National Federation of the Blind<br><br>
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330<br><br>
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)<br><br>
<a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a><br><br>
<div align="center"><h1><b>National Federation of the Blind Announces
2017 Scholarship Program Finalists</b></h1></div>
<b>Baltimore, Maryland (May 11, 2017): </b>The National Federation of the
Blind (NFB), the nation’s oldest and largest organization of blind
people, today announced the finalists for its 2017 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.
<ul>
<li>Lindsay Ball, ME: Adaptive physical education teacher
<li>Cricket Bidleman, CA: Anthropology professor
<li>Katherine Brafford, CA: Work at the intersection of science and
religion
<li>Aneri Brahmbhatt, IL: Record label manager
<li>Shannon Cantan, HI: Business administration
<li>Melissa Carney, CT: Clinical psychologist
<li>Trinh Ha, AR: Dietitian
<li>Afton Harper, MO: Journalism
<li>Qusay Hussein, TX: Psychologist
<li>Catherine Jacobson, MN: Healthcare policy analyst
<li>Cassandra Mendez, OH: Assistive technology developer
<li>Tabea Meyer, CO: Advocate for marginalized groups
<li>Ibeth Miranda, TX: University professor
<li>Regina D. Mitchell, NV: Psychologist
<li>Jackie Mushington-Anderson, GA: Braille instructor
<li>Maureen Nietfeld, CO: Dietitian/Nutritionist
<li>Efose Oriaifo, VA: Biotechnology
<li>Chelsea Peahl, UT: Law/Advocacy
<li>Gloria Rodriguez, WA: Disaster mitigation and emergency preparedness
<li>Carla L. Scroggins, CA: International politics
<li>Luke Schwink, KS: Athletic marketing/Player development
<li>Alyssa Shock, NJ: Child psychologist
<li>Heather Simmons, CA: Literature professor
<li>Wayne Smith III, MD: Computer engineering/Data security
<li>Andrew Sydlik, PA: English teacher or disability advocate
<li>Sophie Trist, LA: Novelist
<li>Rachel Wellington, GA: STEM career
<li>James N. Yesel, ND: Entrepreneur
<li>Zeynep S. Yilmaz, AZ: Rehabilitation counselor education
<li>Ayoub Zurikat, TX: Mental health care provider
</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
biotechnology to anthropology, 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-seventh annual national
convention, beginning July 10, 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 Saturday, July 15.<br><br>
For more information on the National Federation of the Blind Scholarship
Program, visit
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=8404&qid=1788651">
www.nfb.org/scholarships</a>.<br><br>
<div align="center"><b>###<br><br>
</b></div>
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.<br><br>
For more information about the National Federation of the Blind, please
visit:
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=8405&qid=1788651">
www.nfb.org</a><br><br>
<table border=0>
<tr><td width=510> </td></tr>
<tr><td width=510> </td></tr>
<tr><td width=510><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=8406&qid=1788651">
<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-facebook-ms.png" alt="Facebook Logo">
</a> <br>
<br>
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=8407&qid=1788651">
<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-twitter-ms.png" alt="Twitter Logo">
</a> <br>
<br>
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=8408&qid=1788651">
<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-instagram-ms.png" alt="Instagram Logo">
</a> <br>
<br>
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=8409&qid=1788651">
<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-youtube-ms.png" alt="YouTube Logo">
</a> <br>
<br>
<a href="mailto:nfb@nfb.org">
<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-email-ms.png" alt="Email Icon Image">
</a> <br>
<br>
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=8410&qid=1788651">
<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-donte-ms.png" alt="Donate to the NFB Icon.">
</a> <br>
<br>
<b>National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD
21230 | (410) 659-9314</b><br>
<a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/unsubscribe?reset=1&jid=6794&qid=1788651&h=e07c41522a7ba2d1">
Unsubscribe</a> |
<a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/optout?reset=1&jid=6794&qid=1788651&h=e07c41522a7ba2d1">
Opt Out </a>|
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=8411&qid=1788651">
Sign up for email newsletter </a></td></tr>
<tr><td width=510><font color="#FFFFFF"><br>
200 East Wells Street<br>
Baltimore, MD 21230<br>
United States</font></td></tr>
</table>
<div align="center"><br>
</div>
</body>
</html>