The finalists for the scholarship share several qualities. They know how to advocate for themselves, they do not use their learning difficulties as a crutch, and they are caring individuals with a strong sense of helping others. Many of the applicants, which came from 26 different states, would prove to be excellent investments in our country’s future. It is always a shame that all of these outstanding students cannot receive this award, but their applications prove that they will all be successful.

Kimberly began speech therapy at age four. After spending time in a remedial grade called Readiness to receive extra help with her reading, writing, and fine motor skills, she was diagnosed in first grade with a learning disability in reading, written expression, spelling, and comprehension. From first through tenth grade, she received extra help with pullout sessions and then a resource class or study skills class. She has attended summer school and several tutoring sessions to help with her academic work. Her hard work and determination paid off as she ranked second in her graduating class.

She began using a Victor Pro Reader when she was in ninth grade to complete her academic reading assignments. She said, “I was able to read along in my book while the Victor Pro Reader read to me. I could stop and start it at any given point to take notes. It allowed me to understand and comprehend the text better.” She registered with The Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic and began ordering all her textbooks on CD. Twice she has been a guest speaker for the organization at its annual “Ask Event” fund raiser. She explained her disabilities, the manner in which she has coped and succeeded, and the ways in which the technology provided by the organization has supported her tremendous success.

Some of the applicants were Eagle Scouts, one was a champion skateboarder, another was a highly skilled ice skater, several participated in mission trips. All had their own passions in their lives. Kimberly’s passion is music. She participated in concert and symphonic band for seven years, marching band for six years, and jazz band for two years. She is the flute section leader and soloist. She helped out at rookie marching band camp and tutored younger students in band as well as math.

Kimberly has been a leader in 4H, having been vice president, board member, and currently president. She has taught 4H summer classes for five years, but she is proudest of her personal project club, which utilized her musical talents. The “Toot-A-Flute” project club began in 2005-6 when she taught 4H members how to play a recorder and a kazoo. They enjoyed making homemade instruments and performing songs on them, as well as playing musical games such as Name That Tune and Musical Chairs. It was such a success that she decided to continue it in 2007-8. This time she hosted it at a local day care center in her community. She taught the youngsters about different instruments, music, and music opportunities they will have as they grow up and enter middle school and high school. She invited guests to come and perform on a variety of instruments.

One of her favorite activities to help others is the collection of aluminum can tabs for the Ronald McDonald House. She has an affinity for this charity since she and her twin brother were born prematurely and spent several weeks in the intensive care unit of the hospital. The Ronald McDonald House provides housing for parents who need to be close to their hospitalized children. Because her grandfather passed away from cancer, she also volunteers her time to support the American Cancer Society. She has participated in a variety of jobs at the local Relay for Life event, including handing out balloons to cancer survivors, setting up luminary bags around the football field, and this year playing several flute solos during entertainment time.

Kimberly has been accepted at Gainesville State College where she will major in K-8 education. She might work with students with learning disabilities, or she might teach math at the middle school level. When she was 11 years old, she went to church with several deaf people and took a sign language class in order to communicate with them. She hopes to take sign language classes in college as her foreign language and one day possibly work with hearing impaired students. She said, “My personal goal is to become a great educator and hopefully be remembered by students as a teacher that contributed to their success.”

Kimberly lives in a single parent home with her mom and two brothers. All three of the young people will be in college this year, so she greatly appreciates the value of this scholarship. In addition, she plans to obtain a part time job as her college classes permit, plus she will be commuting to college to save on costs of room and board. Kimberly was nominated for this award by longtime Society member Harriet R. Lester of Athens, Georgia.