[Ohio-Talk] Celebrate Outstanding Blind Students

[Shane Popplestone]

Congratulatioons to the 2026 scholarship finlists!

Shane Popplestone
Member, NFB Committee on Federation Web Coordination
Communications committee, NFB of Ohio
Legislative committee, NFB of Ohio
spopplestone.nfb at gmail.com
234-716-2208
You can live the life you want!

On 5/19/2026 11:12 AM, Richard Payne via Ohio-Talk wrote:
>
> 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, PresidentNational Federation of the Blind of Ohio
>
> 937/829/3368
>
> _Rchpay7 at gmail.com_<mailto:Rchpay7 at gmail.com>
>
> _www.nfbohio.org_<http://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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