[nfbwatlk] FW: National Federation of the Blind Announces 2013 Scholarship Program Winners

[Mike Freeman]

-----Original Message-----
From: Freeh, Jessica [mailto:JFreeh at nfb.org] 
Sent: Tuesday, May 07, 2013 12:26 PM
To: Undisclosed recipients:
Subject: National Federation of the Blind Announces 2013 Scholarship Program
Winners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen at nfb.org<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>

National Federation of the Blind Announces
2013 Scholarship Program Winners

Baltimore, Maryland (May 7, 2013): The National Federation of the
Blind<http://www.nfb.org/> (NFB), the nation's oldest and largest
organization of blind people, today announced the winners of its 2013
Scholarship Program<http://www.nfb.org/scholarship-program>, 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:

*         Conrad Austen, MD: History professor and disability historian
*         Cody Bair, CO: Tax accountant (CPA)
*         Riki Burton, KY: Teacher of the blind and visually impaired
*         Mark Colasurdo, NJ: Doctor and research scientist in biological
engineering
*         Angela Dehart, KY: Elementary special education teacher (including
severe disabilities)
*         Stephanie DeLuca, TN: Structural biology scientist with focus on
biomolecules
*         Meg Dowell, IL: Dietetic nutritionist, researcher, and journalist
*         Albert Elia, MA:  Lawyer - high tech disability and intellectual
property law
*         Molly Faerber, RI: Fiction author, writing instructor, publisher
*         Kristin Fleschner, MA: Lawyer, federal government analyst
*         Juna Gjata, MA: Undecided - considering journalist
*         Fredrick Hardyway, KS: University professor of world history
*         Natasha Hubbard, VA: Social worker, professional counselor, and
life coach
*         Edgar Johnson, SC: High school history teacher
*         Tyler Kavanaugh, KS: Software developer of accessible appliances
*         Mi So Kwak, CA: High school teacher/college professor
*         Domonique Lawless, LA: Cane travel (O&M) instructor of blind
students
*         Alex Loch, MN: Physical therapist
*         Brooke Lovell, UT: Marriage and family therapist
*         Julie McGinnity, MO: Professor of voice and performer
*         Mona Minkara, FL: University professor/researcher in quantum
chemistry
*         Disa Muse, OK: Adult education instructor, disability advocate
*         Treva Olivero, LA:  Teacher of blind students, K-12
*         Steven Phelps, UT: Licensed social worker, administrator, and
advocate
*         Kaitlin Shelton, OH: Board-certified music therapist
*         Jermaine Siqueiros-Ramirez, CA: Vocational rehabilitation
counselor, rehabilitation psychologist
*         Ivy Wanta, NY: Scientific researcher, possibly in physics
*         Kathryn Cornell Webster, CT: Actuarial scientist and motivational
speaker
*         Matthew Yeater, IN: Professor of theology and evangelist
*         Stephanie Zundel, NJ: Speech pathologist in a hospital setting

"These students represent academic excellence, and many of them are
doubtless future leaders of this nation's blind," said Dr. Marc Maurer,
president of the National Federation of the
Blind<http://www.twitter.com/NFB_voice>.  "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."

In July each winner will attend the NFB's seventy-third annual national
convention<http://www.nfb.org/national-convention> 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.

For more information on the National Federation of the Blind Scholarship
Program, visit www.nfb.org/scholarships<http://www.nfb.org/scholarships>.

###

About the National Federation of the Blind

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 www.nfb.org<http://www.nfb.org/>.