[Ohio-Talk] National Federation of the Blind of Ohio Scholarship Announcement

[Jordy Stringer]

Greetings federation family, I write this message to you on behalf of  the
National Federation of the Blind of Ohio's Scholarship committee. It is our
hope that this message finds each of you well and safe.



As many of you know, every year we facilitate a scholarship program
intended to benefit blind college students and  even during the pandemic
this effort has withstood all tests. It is our great pleasure to interduce
all of you to three students who have not allowed the pandemic and its
limitations to  determine how high they fly. These are very deserving
individuals and we want you to embrace them and share the love of the
National Federation of the Blind.

 First is, Ms. Camryn Gatuso:

Camryn attends Stark State, her current major is Sociology, and she is also
considering Early Childhood studies. Camryn Writes in her essay:  What
makes me stand out from the crowd is that I am always willing to listen to
everybody else's advice. I am also very modest and have a strong level of
empathy, especially for people who are less fortunate than I am, are facing
challenges in life, or those who need somebody to talk to. Additionally, I
believe that everyone deserves to be heard and understood.



Next is Ms. Marieke Michelle Davis:

In the fall Marieke will attend the Columbus College of Art and Design. She
has earned her way on to the dean's list at the Herberger Institute for
Design and the Arts. She has also been awarded the Herberger IDEA Showcase
Audience Choice Award for her creation of print and audio versions of
graphic series, "Ember Black" (2016

Marieke reflects: As someone whose high school vocational -Rehab counselor
once declared that since I am visually impaired, I could never become an
artist, I know the value of encouragement, inclusion, and empowerment.  I
hope that, someday, I may make a difference in our enjoyment of art and our
understanding of one another’s needs, capabilities, and potential.

Finally, we introduced Mr. Jaxon Schwoebel:

Jackson  will be attending Cleveland State University this fall and will
double major in communications and English. He has many interests including
advocating for the rights of the blind, attending his first Washington
Seminar in 2016; Jackson also aspires to be a cane travel instructor.
Schwoebel has worked for the Colorado Center for the Blind's Summer youth
program and has also been honored as a member of his school's dean's list.

Jaxon  says:         When I first lost the little sight I had, I did not
know what to do. My family did not know what to do either. For a while, we
looked around for other organizations and people that I could meet so this
way my family and I could meet other blind individuals. At this moment, is
when I met the National Federation of the Blind. Since meeting the National
Federation of the Blind, my whole outlook on blindness has changed. I know
that blindness is not the characteristic that defines me and that I can do
anything with the right skills and training.



We were only able to select three finalists and we have so many more
applications then awards to give. The final determination for each of the
three awards will be announced at the banquet at our upcoming state
convention. Any applicant who did not make this list should strongly
consider applying during the next application period . You all are
amazingly accomplished and you should take pride in that. We will look
forward to welcoming these candidates at our up-coming state convention on
November 5th to November 7th and we look forward to seeing all of you as
well.



-- 

Jordy D. Stringer, Executive Director

Southeastern Ohio Center for Independent Living, 418 South Broad Street
Lancaster, OH 43130

E-mail: jssocil at gmail.com

Phone: (740) 689-1494 EXT (11)


"Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with
love and reverence."

 -Henry David Thoreau