[Ohio-Talk] Celebrate Outstanding Blind Students

[Kathy Legg]

Congratulations to all of the scholarship students.

This is so awesome.

 

Kathy Legg 

 

From: Ohio-Talk <ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Richard Payne
via Ohio-Talk
Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 11:13 AM
To: 'NFB of Ohio Announcement List' <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Richard Payne <rchpay7 at gmail.com>
Subject: [Ohio-Talk] Celebrate Outstanding Blind Students

 

Celebrate Outstanding Blind Students

Baltimore, Maryland (May 15, 2026): The National Federation of the Blind
(NFB), the transformative organization advancing the lives of its members
and all blind people in the United States, today announced the finalists for
its annual scholarship program, which provides financial assistance and
connects students with blind mentors and other resources. The thirty
scholarship finalists are listed below in alphabetical order by last name
with their home states and vocational goals. Congratulations to these
outstanding finalists:

Doug Allan, Colorado, Teacher of Blind and Low-Vision Students
Heriberto Arreola, California, Business/Educational Development
Aliceson McKenzie Barger, Kentucky, Counseling
Kailer Brown, California, Athletic Inclusion and Accessibility
Natalie Charbonneau, Washington, Marine Mammal Science
Sveta Ehlers, Missouri, Special Education
Nancy Gedeon, Indiana, Immigration/Disability Rights Attorney
Lucas Griess, Nebraska, Finance/Business or Law
Jenn Han, Washington, Registered Nurse
Marissa Helms, Kentucky, Law
Andrea Hernandez, Texas, Disability Rights Attorney
Bryson Jones, Arkansas, O&M Instructor
LaQuon Johnson, New York, Higher Education Disability Services Coordinator
Amelia Laing, Washington, Chemist
Zachary Ledford, Utah, Exercise Science/Kinesiology
Bennett Lehman, Wisconsin, Cybersecurity
Christopher Morgan, Georgia, Finance or Statistics
Stormy Odum, Virginia, English and History Teacher
Nick Oliver, Texas, Software Engineer
Joshua Olukanni, Georgia, Financial Advisor 
Soso Ozo-Onyali, Maryland, Clinical and Forensic Psychologist
Raysa Rondón Avilés, Puerto Rico, Accessible Technology
Elizabeth Rouse, Iowa, Author/Editor
Charlie Rush-Reese, Minnesota, Musical Performer and Writer
Sherry Scott Bianco, Kansas, Data Scientist
Julian Silecky, Pennsylvania, Engineering
Muhammad Sohaib, Texas, Special Education Research and Policy
Chantsaa Undrakhbayar, Minnesota, Therapist
Willow Windoloski, Massachusetts, Robotics Research
Karolina Wrobel, Florida, Disability Rights Attorney

"Our scholarship program continues to exemplify how the blind people’s
movement builds and strengthens a community of leaders," said Mark A.
Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. "The finalists
represent a diversity of academic and professional pursuits, from
groundbreaking work in STEAM careers to innovative approaches in media,
education, and law. We are proud to honor these blind scholars, whose
stories raise expectations and contribute to expanding possibilities. The
accomplishments of these outstanding students are proof that the blind can
achieve excellence and live the lives we want. We will celebrate these
outstanding scholars together at our national convention, where their
accomplishments will encourage the next generation of blind leaders to dream
bigger and reach higher."

 

Richard Payne, President National Federation of the Blind of Ohio

937/829/3368

 <mailto:Rchpay7 at gmail.com> Rchpay7 at gmail.com

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

The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and
all blind people in the United States. We know 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. Our collective power, determination,
and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.

 

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