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The Winners of the 2013 Anne Ford & Allegra Ford Scholarship Awards
The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) is proud to congratulate Ross Chapman of Oxford, Michigan, Holly Schallert of Greensboro, North Carolina, and Kcory Woltz of Roselle, New Jersey. Ross and Holly are the 2013 Anne Ford Scholars and Kcory is the 2013 Allegra Ford Thomas Scholar.
Since 2002, NCLD has been celebrating the accomplishments of graduating high school seniors who, despite their learning disabilities (LD), have shown that LD has been part of their “recipe for success” and not a “prescription for failure.” The Anne Ford Scholarship honors students who will be headed off for a four-year college and the Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship honors students who will attend a community college, vocational or technical training program, or specialized program for students with LD.
Award-winning actress Sigourney Weaver presented the scholarships at NCLD’s 36th Annual Benefit Dinner, held in New York City on April 15, 2013 and emceed by Paula Zahn.
“These three self-advocates with boundless potential have each proven that they can thrive despite any challenge or setback that comes their way,” said Weaver.
In addition to the winning scholars, both awards have multiple runners-up and honorable mentions who also receive financial awards to offset the cost of their postsecondary journeys.
Anne Ford ScholarshipThe Anne Ford Scholarship Award is a $10,000 scholarship ($2,500/year for four years) given to a student who will be pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Anne Ford Scholars clearly exemplify the importance of self-advocacy and are committed to completing a four-year college program. They have demonstrated high academic achievement, have shown perseverance and leadership, and have excelled as role models and spokespersons for others who struggle with LD.
Ross Chapman, a 2013 Anne Ford Scholar, always strongly identified with the children’s book The Little Engine That Could. Like the engine in the book, he would always keep chugging along with great determination, even when the obstacles posed by his dyslexia seemed insurmountable to outsiders. As a middle school student, Ross fought against being placed on a track to earn a high school completion certificate rather than a general diploma. And he went even further, insisting that he be allowed to enroll in rigorous college prep courses. He is now graduating as an Honor Roll student, and has completed several Advanced Placement and Honors courses. He was the Captain of his cross country team and is currently a varsity lacrosse player, a member of the National Honor Society and a peer tutor. A history buff and world traveler, Ross is planning to study medicine, foreign policy, or a combination of the two.
Read Ross’ winning essay.
Holly Schallert, a 2013 Anne Ford Scholar, writes “I have not only overcome many struggles because of my dyslexia, but I have also overcome everyone’s expectations for me.” Facing teachers who didn’t believe she could achieve in school and peers who taunted her for her struggles, Holly set out at a young age to prove that people with LD can be an asset to the world. Through the skillful use of accommodations and assistive technology, strong self-advocacy, and never-ending perseverance, Holly is graduating at the top of her class at Wesleyan Christian Academy. An artist and athlete, she is the Founder and President of her school’s Art Club and a member of the varsity swim and track and field teams, in addition to her work on various community service projects. She plans to pursue a career in industrial design, hoping to design medical equipment and assistive technology tools for people with disabilities.
Read Holly’s winning essay.
The Runner-Up for this year’s Anne Ford Scholarship is Joseph Kuebbing of Alexandria, Kentucky. Honorable mentions include: Brooks Bell, St. John Emily Bowman, Issaiah Coldren, Marisa Fernandez, Dustin Henderson, Nicolas Perez, Joseph Reibel, and Thomas Thelan.
Allegra Ford Thomas ScholarshipThe Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship Award is a one-time, $2,500 scholarship given to a student who will be enrolled in a community college, vocational or technical training program, or specialized program for students with LD. Allegra Ford Thomas Scholars understand the importance of self-advocacy, are committed to post-high school study or career training, and have been involved in their schools and local communities. They have demonstrated perseverance and are committed to achieving personal goals despite the challenges of LD.
This year’s winner, Kcory Woltz, as a child found himself struggling not only in school, but with the directions and memorization required by what were supposed to be fun activities such as playing video games. Like many other students with LD, he struggled with self-esteem. But Kcory had a stash of “secret weapons”: a relentless team of mentors, teachers, and advocates—led by his mother and aunt—who helped him come to understand his learning disability, develop strategies he needed to be successful in school and life, and find ways to use his unique strengths. Now, this confident soon-to-be graduate of The Barack Obama Green Charter High School has a transcript packed with college prep courses and an extracurricular resume that includes serving as a Cadet Staff Sergeant in the Marines’ Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, participating on his school’s golf team and prom committee, and completing The Nature Conservancy’s Leaders in Environmental Action for the Future internship program. Kcory wants to give back to his community by saving lives as a paramedic. Next year, he will be enrolled in a program of study that will grant him both Emergency Medical Technician certification and an associate’s degree.
Read Kcory’s winning essay.
The Runner Up for this year’s Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship is Richard French of Monroe Township, New Jersey. Honorable mentions include: Lindsey Bever, Mariah Hayes, Juanita Horn, Taylor Navoni, Tiffany O’Neill, James Pollard, Hailey Storer, and Torie Whisenant.
The National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) is proud to congratulate Ross Chapman of Oxford, Michigan, Holly Schallert of Greensboro, North Carolina, and Kcory Woltz of Roselle, New Jersey. Ross and Holly are the 2013 Anne Ford Scholars and Kcory is the 2013 Allegra Ford Thomas Scholar.Since 2002, NCLD has been celebrating the accomplishments of graduating high school seniors who, despite their learning disabilities (LD), have shown that LD has been part of their “recipe for success” and not a “prescription for failure.” The Anne Ford Scholarship honors students who will be headed off for a four-year college and the Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship honors students who will attend a community college, vocational or technical training program, or specialized program for students with LD.
Award-winning actress Sigourney Weaver presented the scholarships at NCLD’s 36th Annual Benefit Dinner, held in New York City on April 15, 2013 and emceed by Paula Zahn.
“These three self-advocates with boundless potential have each proven that they can thrive despite any challenge or setback that comes their way,” said Weaver.
In addition to the winning scholars, both awards have multiple runners-up and honorable mentions who also receive financial awards to offset the cost of their postsecondary journeys.
Anne Ford ScholarshipThe Anne Ford Scholarship Award is a $10,000 scholarship ($2,500/year for four years) given to a student who will be pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Anne Ford Scholars clearly exemplify the importance of self-advocacy and are committed to completing a four-year college program. They have demonstrated high academic achievement, have shown perseverance and leadership, and have excelled as role models and spokespersons for others who struggle with LD.
Ross Chapman, a 2013 Anne Ford Scholar, always strongly identified with the children’s book The Little Engine That Could. Like the engine in the book, he would always keep chugging along with great determination, even when the obstacles posed by his dyslexia seemed insurmountable to outsiders. As a middle school student, Ross fought against being placed on a track to earn a high school completion certificate rather than a general diploma. And he went even further, insisting that he be allowed to enroll in rigorous college prep courses. He is now graduating as an Honor Roll student, and has completed several Advanced Placement and Honors courses. He was the Captain of his cross country team and is currently a varsity lacrosse player, a member of the National Honor Society and a peer tutor. A history buff and world traveler, Ross is planning to study medicine, foreign policy, or a combination of the two.
Read Ross’ winning essay.
Holly Schallert, a 2013 Anne Ford Scholar, writes “I have not only overcome many struggles because of my dyslexia, but I have also overcome everyone’s expectations for me.” Facing teachers who didn’t believe she could achieve in school and peers who taunted her for her struggles, Holly set out at a young age to prove that people with LD can be an asset to the world. Through the skillful use of accommodations and assistive technology, strong self-advocacy, and never-ending perseverance, Holly is graduating at the top of her class at Wesleyan Christian Academy. An artist and athlete, she is the Founder and President of her school’s Art Club and a member of the varsity swim and track and field teams, in addition to her work on various community service projects. She plans to pursue a career in industrial design, hoping to design medical equipment and assistive technology tools for people with disabilities.
Read Holly’s winning essay.
The Runner-Up for this year’s Anne Ford Scholarship is Joseph Kuebbing of Alexandria, Kentucky. Honorable mentions include: Brooks Bell, St. John Emily Bowman, Issaiah Coldren, Marisa Fernandez, Dustin Henderson, Nicolas Perez, Joseph Reibel, and Thomas Thelan.
Allegra Ford Thomas ScholarshipThe Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship Award is a one-time, $2,500 scholarship given to a student who will be enrolled in a community college, vocational or technical training program, or specialized program for students with LD. Allegra Ford Thomas Scholars understand the importance of self-advocacy, are committed to post-high school study or career training, and have been involved in their schools and local communities. They have demonstrated perseverance and are committed to achieving personal goals despite the challenges of LD.
This year’s winner, Kcory Woltz, as a child found himself struggling not only in school, but with the directions and memorization required by what were supposed to be fun activities such as playing video games. Like many other students with LD, he struggled with self-esteem. But Kcory had a stash of “secret weapons”: a relentless team of mentors, teachers, and advocates—led by his mother and aunt—who helped him come to understand his learning disability, develop strategies he needed to be successful in school and life, and find ways to use his unique strengths. Now, this confident soon-to-be graduate of The Barack Obama Green Charter High School has a transcript packed with college prep courses and an extracurricular resume that includes serving as a Cadet Staff Sergeant in the Marines’ Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps, participating on his school’s golf team and prom committee, and completing The Nature Conservancy’s Leaders in Environmental Action for the Future internship program. Kcory wants to give back to his community by saving lives as a paramedic. Next year, he will be enrolled in a program of study that will grant him both Emergency Medical Technician certification and an associate’s degree.
Read Kcory’s winning essay.
The Runner Up for this year’s Allegra Ford Thomas Scholarship is Richard French of Monroe Township, New Jersey. Honorable mentions include: Lindsey Bever, Mariah Hayes, Juanita Horn, Taylor Navoni, Tiffany O’Neill, James Pollard, Hailey Storer, and Torie Whisenant.
