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<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Celebrate Outstanding Blind Students</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT FACE="Aptos">Baltimore, Maryland (May 15, 2026):</FONT></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">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:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Doug Allan, Colorado, Teacher of Blind and Low-Vision Students<BR>
Heriberto Arreola, California, Business/Educational Development<BR>
Aliceson McKenzie Barger, Kentucky, Counseling<BR>
Kailer Brown, California, Athletic Inclusion and Accessibility<BR>
Natalie Charbonneau, Washington, Marine Mammal Science<BR>
Sveta Ehlers, Missouri, Special Education<BR>
Nancy Gedeon, Indiana, Immigration/Disability Rights Attorney<BR>
Lucas Griess, Nebraska, Finance/Business or Law<BR>
Jenn Han, Washington, Registered Nurse<BR>
Marissa Helms, Kentucky, Law<BR>
Andrea Hernandez, Texas, Disability Rights Attorney<BR>
Bryson Jones, Arkansas, O&M Instructor<BR>
LaQuon Johnson, New York, Higher Education Disability Services Coordinator<BR>
Amelia Laing, Washington, Chemist<BR>
Zachary Ledford, Utah, Exercise Science/Kinesiology<BR>
Bennett Lehman, Wisconsin, Cybersecurity<BR>
Christopher Morgan, Georgia, Finance or Statistics<BR>
Stormy Odum, Virginia, English and History Teacher<BR>
Nick Oliver, Texas, Software Engineer<BR>
Joshua Olukanni, Georgia, Financial Advisor<BR>
Soso Ozo-Onyali, Maryland, Clinical and Forensic Psychologist<BR>
Raysa Rondn Avils, Puerto Rico, Accessible Technology<BR>
Elizabeth Rouse, Iowa, Author/Editor<BR>
Charlie Rush-Reese, Minnesota, Musical Performer and Writer<BR>
Sherry Scott Bianco, Kansas, Data Scientist<BR>
Julian Silecky, Pennsylvania, Engineering<BR>
Muhammad Sohaib, Texas, Special Education Research and Policy<BR>
Chantsaa Undrakhbayar, Minnesota, Therapist<BR>
Willow Windoloski, Massachusetts, Robotics Research<BR>
Karolina Wrobel, Florida, Disability Rights Attorney</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><I><FONT FACE="Aptos">"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."</FONT></I></SPAN></P>
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<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Richard Payne, President</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> <FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Helvetica">National Federation of theBlind of Ohio</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Helvetica">937/829/3368</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><A HREF="mailto:Rchpay7@gmail.com"><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U></U></SPAN><U><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#467886" SIZE=2 FACE="Helvetica">Rchpay7@gmail.com</FONT></SPAN></U><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></A><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><A HREF="http://www.nfbohio.org"><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U></U></SPAN><U><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#467886" SIZE=4 FACE="Aptos">www.nfbohio.org</FONT></SPAN></U><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></A><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=4 FACE="Aptos">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, becaus</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=4 FACE="Aptos">e low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Our collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
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