[nfbwatlk] {Disarmed} FW: National Federation of the Blind Announces 2014 Scholarship Program Finalists

Wed May 14 14:51:06 UTC 2014

From: Jessica Freeh [mailto:jfreeh at nfb.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2014 7:00 AM
To: k7uij at panix.com
Subject: National Federation of the Blind Announces 2014 Scholarship Program Finalists

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

National Federation of the Blind Announces 
2014 Scholarship Program Finalists

Baltimore, Maryland (May 14, 2014): The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) <http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=3446&qid=467712> , the nation’s oldest and largest organization of blind people, today announced the finalists for its 2014 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. 

• Alex Anderson, NJ: Lawyer 
• Anna "Anya" Avramenko, KS: Court interpreter for Russian, Ukrainian, and Spanish
• Cynthia Bennett, WA: Human-centered technology researcher and designer 
• Shawn Berg, WA: Mechanical engineer designing airframe parts and systems 
• James Boehm, TN: Vocational rehabilitation counselor
• Candice Chapman, MN: University counselor
• Alan Chase, NC: Public school superintendent
• Craig Cooper, OR: Social studies teacher (grades 6-12)
• Hayden Dahmm, PA: Environmental engineer 
• Jonathan Franks, TX: Licensed clinical social worker for children 
• Cathy Gaten, CA: Rehabilitation counselor
• Austin Hicks, FL: Professor of computer science and cutting-edge researcher
• Stanley Ingram, PA: Information Technology (IT) project manager
• Meesha Johnson, NY: Attorney in the field of human services
• Amber Kraft, ND: Computer programmer
• Rebecca Leon, TN: Social worker, bilingual in English and Spanish
• Paige “Alana” Leonhardy, ID: Psychologist for violence survivors 
• Katelyn MacIntyre, AZ: concert vocalist and music educator
• Derek Manners, MA: Administrative lawyer specializing in public policy on employment
• Yevgeniya “Zhenya” Pankova, MA: Math teacher or special education teacher
• Sarah Patnaude, VA: Civil rights attorney
• Emily Pennington, OH: Lawyer specialist for accounting and taxes
• Deja Powell, UT: Orientation and mobility instructor and teacher of blind students
• Amanie Riley, NY: Teacher of the blind and visually impaired
• Lucia Sidi, IL: Civil rights attorney for disabled clients
• Mark Turley, UT: High school math teacher
• Anna Walsh, AL: Lawyer 
• Beverly Weiler, CO: Mental health counselor for troubled adolescents
• Isaiah Wilcox, GA: Contract specialist with an MBA
• Justin Williams, SC: Vocational rehabilitation counselor

“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. “They are forging a path in disciplines as varied as mechanical engineering, social work, special education, law, and information technology. They are proof of our conviction that we, the blind of this nation, can live the lives we want; blindness does not hold us back. We are very proud of their accomplishments.”

In July each finalist will attend the NFB’s seventy-fourth annual national convention <http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=3447&qid=467712>  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 Sunday, July 6.

For more information on the National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program, visit www.nfb.org/scholarships <http://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=3448&qid=467712> .

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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. 

National Federation of the Blind

200 East Wells Street
at Jernigan Place
Baltimore, MD 21230
United States

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