Bethany Elkins of Dayton, Ohio, is the 2004 recipient of the $1,000 renewable Harbison Award. Her dyslexia was diagnosed in first grade when her inability to read caused frustration and hopelessness.

Over the years, she developed countless strategies to help herself learn various subjects — flash cards, outlines, highlighted notes, acrostics, drawing, pictures, colored coding, physically rocking back and forth or walking as she studied, background music, whatever worked at the time. What does she identify as her greatest strategy? "Bullheaded determination." All of these led to her achieving a 3.95 GPA at Dayton Christian High School.

Bethany became addicted to the sport of volleyball when she was 10. She says, "Over the past seven years, volleyball has instilled in me a sense of teamwork, respect, trust, sportsmanship, and has allowed my enthusiasm to shine." Since eighth grade, she has been an assistant coach to fifth and sixth grade intramural teams. She enjoys passing on her love and enthusiasm.

Another of Bethany’s passions has been working with inner city children at Club House, an after-school program to teach the children a Bible story, help them learn verses, give them a snack, and spend one-on-one time with them.

Since her father is a pastor, church has been a continual presence in her life. She has taught Sunday School, worked in the nursery, and participated in downtown ministries. Her favorite outreach ministry occurred last summer when she and her sister went on a three-week missions trip to Japan.

Bethany plans to attend Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio, to become an intervention specialist. She hopes to work with learning-disabled kids who are still in mainstream classes but are struggling in some way. Her purpose? "To give them hope and to pass on to them values such as determination, innovation, and enthusiasm." Long-time Society member Patti Ann Dixon of Kettering, Ohio, nominated Bethany. After meeting her, she concluded, "Bethany has the will and eagerness to work very hard for what she wants to attain."