Recipients Of Lighthouse International's Scholarships And Career Awards
Further Information:
For Immediate Release
Leslie Gottlieb
(212) 821-9760
Include A Harvard-Bound Honors Student, A Computer Whiz And Gifted Musician, And A Talented Writer. Tjx Company (Owner Of Marshalls Stores) Receives Employer Award
New York ... Six outstanding students who are blind and visually impaired will receive scholarships and awards at Lighthouse International's 29th Annual Scholarships and Career Awards Dinner on Wednesday, June 18, 2008. All gifted and highly motivated, they are being honored for their outstanding courage in overcoming the challenges of vision loss. Each will receive a $5,000 award. Ellen Ratner, Bureau Chief of Talk Radio News Service and a member of the Board of Directors of Lighthouse International, is the emcee of the event.
According to Tara A. Cortes, RN, PhD, President and CEO of Lighthouse International, "Our awards recognize the outstanding accomplishments of these very talented students. The awards will help them fulfill their dreams of a higher education and success in the workplace. In addition, these students inspire us by their spirit and determination."
CAITLIN SARUBBI - COLLEGE BOUND
Caitie is going to Harvard University as a pre-med student. Blind since birth, she has an impressive list of achievements. Trained as a racer for the US Ski Team (the professional ski team), she is ranked the number 4 visually impaired skier in the world.
In school, she is a member of The National Honor Society. She is also active on her school yearbook, school newspaper, the Prom Committee, and the Campus Ministry. Her volunteer work includes helping disabled veterans learn to snow and water ski. And, she is a religion teacher in her church. Her teachers describe her as "caring, considerate, and popular."
Caitie wants to be a doctor because she wants to give other children the chance that her doctors gave her in the more than 50 surgeries she has endured. She is an intern at NYU Hospital to get her start at "giving back" to medicine.
CASEY BURKHARDT - UNDERGRADUATE AWARD
Casey Burkhardt has an extraordinary gift for computers. He is employed by the Computer Science Department of Villanova University, where he works on complex systems like Linux systems configurations. He also volunteers to help rebuild 17 laptops to use as a mobile lab for a Philadelphia middle school, and he helps prospective students. He belongs to many computing organizations - both college organizations at Villanova and professional organizations.
In addition, Casey builds and maintains websites. His creative ability is not limited to chips and motherboards. He is the Web Chair for the New Jersey Association of Blind Students and is also webmaster for the campus newspaper.
He is also a member of Villanova's International Collegiate Programming Competition Team. Furthermore, he plays the cello in the Villanova University Orchestra. According to his fellow musicians he plays beautifully.
SHARON MCLENNON - GRADUATE AWARD
Sharon McLennon was hit by a car at an intersection. However, this accident did not slow her down. In spite of surgery, hospitalization and physical therapy to get her right leg back in motion, she continues to be active and positive.
She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Syracuse University, winning several scholarships and awards and a Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. For 10 years, she has been working as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, helping people (from troubled preschoolers to kids with ADHD to geriatric patients and jobless adults) deal with the psychological and emotional aspects of a wide variety of disabilities. She is now earning her Doctorate. And she is an Adjunct Professor in the Psychology Department at Seton Hall. She is also completing a book chapter on teenage sexuality in the disabled.
Sharon also finds time to sing in the St. Ann's church choir in Yonkers, work out at the gym and pursue her hobby: dance.
Her future plans include conducting research and helping train the next generation of psychologists.
MOLLY FAERBER - THE JUDY VAN NOSTRAND ARTS AWARD -
Molly Faerber can be creative in English, French, and even Russian! Her field is creative writing.
Molly says that her interest in other languages, and in writing, may have happened because of her visual impairment. While many people may think that it would be difficult for a person with partial sight to see the world and the people around her, she says what a writer needs most is a voice -- an ability to see "inside" herself and others. Her genuine talent and sophisticated prose show she has that insight. As she writes about the world of those without sight, she helps people with sight understand those issues and perhaps themselves a little better in the process. She plans to spend her next semester studying in France.
SEAN PATRICK O'KEEFE -- HARRY G. STARR AWARD
A new scholarship is awarded this year by Harry G. Starr for a student who deserves an education and might not otherwise get one.
Sean O'Keefe is a highly dedicated and motivated young man in the science lab or at the piano bench. He has never taken his limited sight as an excuse to do less than his best effort - AP courses, Honors classes, and awards in subjects as diverse as pre-calculus, chemistry, English and Spanish. He competes in the weekly Math League - and that team is nationally ranked. He is also dedicated to helping others learn - he is a peer tutor. And he has lobbied legislators in Washington, D.C. on issues that matter to the blind.
But he is just as passionate about the piano - he's been playing for 12 years. His goal is to master all of the Beethoven Sonatas. And he volunteers every week to teach keyboard to underprivileged elementary school kids. In addition, he volunteers at a food pantry. He also has a part-time job as a file clerk in a medical office.
Because he demonstrates unusual optimism and confidence, one of Sean's teachers called him "the most remarkable young man I've encountered in my 28 years of education...a true intellectual." Sean will be going to Columbia University in the fall to study Chemical Engineering...
ALYSSA CAYETANO -- SYDE HURDUS PRESIDENT'S AWARD
Alyssa Cayetano has an exuberant and joyful spirit. Her thirst for life has propelled her to succeed in many areas.
She has been involved for two years in the Lighthouse Saturday program for teenagers, including the summer Columbia University program. The lessons she learned helped her conquer the challenges of independent travel, and the New York subway and bus system. It is now a part of her everyday life. She earned her high school diploma this month and is now deciding among 5 colleges that want her to attend. She is also working with disabled preschool children, helping elementary school students in computer, and doing clerical work for the guidance office at the NY State Institute of Special Education.
In her spare time, she likes to do what other teenagers do: talk on the phone, listen to music, be involved in the Student Council, Track and Field, play Goalball, and volunteer at a hospital and cardiac center.
TJX COMPANIES EMPLOYER AWARD
The Employer Award recognizes TJX Companies, the parent company of Marshalls, AJ Wright, HomeGoods and other retail stores, a corporation that has led the way in eliminating workplace barriers for people with vision loss.
This exemplary company has collaborated with our Career Services job specialists in the hiring of five Lighthouse clients at various Marshalls stores on Long Island, as well as placing several high school and college interns. In addition, several people were also hired to work in AJ Wright and HomeGoods stores.
Each store manager has been exceptionally responsive to the individual needs of employees who have different degrees of vision loss. Store managers have invested their time in matching these employees to the best possible position, following up with personalized on-the-job training and encouraging flexible scheduling to accommodate travel by para-transit. Insuring that they have an equal chance to be productive employees.
Managers never ask what a person can't do. Rather, they ask what someone can do - and do well. Interns usually go on to be permanent hires, and in this supportive work environment, full-time hires become outstanding employees. "It is an extraordinary company. They are a role model for businesses everywhere." according to Kim O'Connor, Lighthouse employment specialist who has worked with them for many years.
The Lighthouse International Scholarships and Career Awards are sponsored by individuals, organizations and foundations. Recipients are assessed on academic and personal achievement by the Lighthouse International Scholarships and Career Awards Committee.
Founded in 1905, Lighthouse International is a leading non-profit organization dedicated to preserving vision and to providing critically needed health care services to help people of all ages overcome the challenges of vision loss. Through services, education, research and advocacy, the Lighthouse enables people with low vision and blindness to enjoy safe, independent and productive lives. For more information about vision loss, its causes and what you can do about it, contact Lighthouse International at 1-800-829-0500 or visit www.lighthouse.org.
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