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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Ohio,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Congratulations to Caitlyn Head, Ohio, Music Therapy educator. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Below are all of the National Scholarship finalist.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Celebrating Outstanding Blind Students<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Baltimore, Maryland (May 22, 2025)</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>: 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, that 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 state and vocational goal. Congratulations to these outstanding finalists:<o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Waseem Aljanazreh, Pennsylvania, Special Education<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Lauren Chaya Altman, New Jersey, Teacher of Blind Students<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Sergio Arvizu Arguelles, New Jersey, Attorney<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Izzy Bailey, Maine, Clinical Social Worker<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Kaleb Calhoun, Virginia, Cybersecurity<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Erin Daley, Colorado, Accessibility Consultant<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Juna Gjata, Massachusetts, Content Strategist<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>KaShonia Graham, Michigan, Human Services<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Toby Harnish, Pennsylvania, Software Engineer<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Caitlyn Head, Ohio, Music Therapy/Academia<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Daniel Hernandez, Arizona, Clinical Health Psychologist<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Rasheedah Kenner, Kentucky, Mental Health Services<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Noor Khraisat, Pennsylvania, Lawyer<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Gene Kim, California, Computer Science Professor and Researcher<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Andrew Lee, Georgia, Technology Entrepreneur<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Riley Letterman, Michigan, Music Therapist <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Ren Lovegood, Massachusetts, Business Professor and Researcher<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Ryan Lukowicz, Rhode Island, Political Scientist/Advocacy<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Zoe Marsh, Connecticut, Orientation & Mobility Instructor<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Kaelyn McColl, Illinois, Biomedical Engineer<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Mary Nix, New Mexico, Special Education Teacher<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Joy Orlando, California, Psychologist<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Amina Orzueva, New York, Human Rights Advocate<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Ghania Oussaci, Texas, Health Information Manager<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Nicole Quibol, Hawaii, Professor of Philosophy<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Millie Rivera, Maryland, Biblical Counselor<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Emily DeVaris Schlenker, Kansas, Doctor of Pharmacy<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Mandy Smith, Pennsylvania, Foreign Service Officer<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Akliesia Teshome, Maryland, Business Consultant<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Katiana Elena Urbina, Florida, Production Specialist<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>“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 emerging fields. We are proud to honor these blind scholars, each of whom is raising expectations and 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.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>For more information about the National Federation of the Blind scholarship program, visit <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program">nfb.org/scholarships.</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>###</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>About the National Federation of the Blind</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><br>The National Federation of the Blind, headquartered in Baltimore, defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. Founded in 1940, the NFB is the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind Americans with affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. We believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at<a href="https://nfb.org/"> nfb.org</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>CONTACT<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Stephanie Cascone<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Director of Communications<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>410-659-9314, extension 2244<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="mailto:communications@nfb.org">communications@nfb.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=150 height=150 style='width:1.5625in;height:1.5625in' id="Picture_x0020_4" src="cid:image001.png@01DBCB1C.0FBFC330" alt="National Federation of the Blind. Click to return to Homepage."></span></a><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>National Federation of the Blind</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><br>200 East Wells Street <i>at Jernigan Place</i><br>Baltimore, Maryland 21230<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Phone</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> <a href="tel:+14106599314">410-659-9314</a><br><b>Email</b> <a href="mailto:nfb@nfb.org">nfb@nfb.org</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>