by Denise Colley
The American Council of the Blind’s Scholarship Program was established in 1982. ACB and the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) have partnered to offer educational scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $7,500 for legally blind students attending a technical college or who are an entering freshman, undergraduate or a graduate student. This program awards students with scholarships to help with post-secondary education financial needs such as tuition, fees, room and board and other additional costs associated with assistive technology.
Congratulations to the 2023 scholarship recipients!
Floyd Qualls Memorial Scholarships
Parnita Basnet
Kevin Cohen
Charles Miller
Dannielle Schutz
Malia Thibado
William G. Corey Memorial Scholarship
Eric Marco Ramos
John Hebner Memorial Scholarship
Andrew De Avila
Norma Schecter Memorial and Duane Buckley Memorial Scholarships
Qusay Hussein
ACB of Oregon Scholarship
Maya Andrick
Bay State Council of the Blind Scholarship
Chantale Zuzi
Arnold Sadler Memorial Scholarship and Rudolph Dillman Scholarship (AFB)
Bailey Thomas
Dr. S. Bradley Burson Memorial Science Scholarship and Paul & Ellen Ruckes Scholarship (AFB)
Jonathan Carver
Eunice Fiorito Memorial Scholarship and Charles Dillman Scholarship (AFB)
Matthew Cho
James R. Olsen Memorial Scholarship
Zayne Hoover
Kellie Cannon Memorial Scholarship and Paul & Ellen Ruckes Scholarship (AFB)
Matthew Ard
R.I. Gillette, Gladys C. Anderson and Karen D. Carsel Memorial Scholarships (AFB)
Julia LaGrande
Ross N. Pangere Foundation for the Visually Impaired Scholarships
Katelyn Kelel
Brock Kitterman
Bhavya Shah
Rudolph Dillman/Charles Dillman Scholarships (AFB)
Kathryn Sevier
Kaitlyn Kellermeyer
Emily Nelson
Tech For All Scholarship
Devon Woodfine
This class was brimming with talent, intelligence and enthusiasm. The variety of abilities ranged from one of our winners being the president of Seedlings Braille Books for Children, to a blind hockey player, to one who is an investigator with the Illinois Department of Human Rights in Chicago. Yet another had an internship with Pfizer. And one was the head producer for Olio Road Productions. There was a strong sense of camaraderie among the group and an eagerness to tackle their chosen pursuits.
Applications for the 2024-2025 school year will be posted online Nov. 1, 2023. We look forward to presenting another group of deserving winners next year.