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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>From the desk of NFBNJ President Joe Ruffalo.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Received from Anil Lewis, Executive Director, NFB Jernigan Institute.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'><a href="https://nfb.org/youth-slam-student-application">Apply right now</a>! NFB Youth Slam is a weeklong learning opportunity in a wide-variety of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines. Students will learn new skills, make new friends, and have fun while being mentored by STEM professionals, many of whom are blind, from all over the United States.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>One hundred blind and low-vision high school students from across the country will be selected to attend this weeklong adventure at Towson University in Maryland from July 23 to 29, 2017. The NFB Youth Slam will engage, inspire, and encourage you—the next generation of blind scientists, engineers, programmers, and mathematicians—to consider STEM careers. While some falsely believe these careers are not for blind students, the NFB is here to help you live the life you want. Your hopes and dreams define your future; blindness does not.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>While staying on campus at Towson University, students will be mentored by positive blind role models. The range of fun and challenging activities will raise your expectations, build confidence, and increase your science literacy. Build your NFB Youth Slam schedule from a selection of twenty STEM disciplines including fields such as: robotics, biology, engineering, neuroscience, chemistry, and even video game design! The possibilities are endless.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>Students who are currently in grades 9-12 in the United States are invited to apply online via <a href="https://nfb.org/youth-slam-student-application">https://nfb.org/youth-slam-student-application</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>For more information about the NFB Youth Slam program visit: <a href="http://blindscience.org/nfb-youth-slam">http://blindscience.org/nfb-youth-slam</a>. If you have additional questions, contact us at (410) 659-9314, extension 2418, or email <a href="mailto:STEM@nfb.org">STEM@nfb.org</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>Join us as we continue to raise expectations and make history at what promises to be the best NFB Youth Slam yet!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Forwarded by:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Freestyle Script"'>Brian A. Mackey<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Brian A. Mackey<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Owner, Mackey Enterprises, LLC<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Treasurer & Webmaster, National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Member, National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Blind Users Innovating & Leading Design (BUILD) Team<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>609-953-6988<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><a href="mailto:Bmackey88@gmail.com"><span style='color:#0563C1'>Bmackey88@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>“Happy are those who dream dreams and are willing to pay the price to make those dreams come true”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <i>-Vince Papale<o:p></o:p></i></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>