Baltimore, Maryland (May 9, 2024): 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 with their home states or territories and vocational goals. Congratulations to these outstanding finalists:

• Lindsay Adair, Louisiana, Psychology/Social Work
• Krystle Allen, New Jersey, Social Work
• Cole Carper, Arkansas, Aerospace Engineering
• J David Carrillo, Utah, Grief/Trauma Counseling 
• Hannah Clemenson, Montana, Journalism
• Abey Finklea, Colorado, International Education
• Madison Flores, Texas, Disability Rights Lawyer
• Tom Geraci, Massachusetts, Communications and Social Media
• Thelma González Santana, Puerto Rico, International Corporate Development
• Benjamin Grelk, Nebraska, Software engineer
• Rachel Elizabeth Grider, California, O&M Instructor
• Amanda Juetten, Tennessee, Blindness Skills Professional
• Thor Kargatis, District of Columbia, Urban Planning and Transportation
• Miranda Lacy, West Virginia, Social Worker
• Julia LaGrand, Michigan, Music Education
• Miles Little, District of Columbia, Finance
• Tamara Lundy, Louisiana, Health Care Administration
• Enrique Mejia, Iowa, Special Education Teacher
• Jose Andre Montano, District of Columbia, Piano Teacher
• Sam Morgan, Colorado, Meteorologist
• Joshua Olukanni, Georgia, Organizational Development consultant
• Natalie Rankin, Texas, Cyber Security
• Casey Reyes, Utah, Public Relations
• Muntaha Ruthba, Texas, International Blindness Advocacy
• Dishon Spears, Colorado, Non-profit Business Management
• Jonesti Steele, Mississippi, Rehabilitation counselor
• Maranda Ulvestad, Arizona, Elementary school teacher
• Colin Wong, Washington, Professor and Researcher
• Lynn Wu, California, Non-Profit Technology
• Henry Young, New Jersey, Park Ranger

“The scholarship program is one example of how the organized blind movement builds a community of leaders,” said Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “These finalists represent a broad range of interests and career goals, including several STEAM fields, media and communications, education, and much more. We are proud to honor these blind scholars, each of whom are 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, and we will celebrate them as a community at our national convention.” For more information about the National Federation of the Blind scholarship program, visit https://nfb.org/scholarships.