Post by southsidesignmaker on Apr 19, 2011 10:50:06 GMT -5
12-year-old with dyslexia earns reading award
By Jane Donahue For The Sun Apr 17, 2011 2:37AM
napervillesun.suntimes.com/news/schools/4816886-418/12-year-old-with-dyslexia-earns-reading-award.htm
Nora Davidauskas, 12, of Naperville recently was awarded the 2011 "Yes, I Can! Award" from the Council for Exceptional Children. | Submitted
Nora Davidauskas of Naperville has a passion for reading and wouldn’t let a learning disability interfere with it. The 12-year-old, who has dyslexia, recently was recognized for her efforts with the 2011 “Yes I Can! Award” from the Council for Exceptional Children.
“It is nice to be recognized for helping other people with the same problem as me,” Nora said. “You can accomplish good things if you don’t let your disability slow you down.”
Each year, the council honors 27 students from the United States and Canada with disabilities who have excelled and display a can-do attitude. The sixth-grader was nominated by Kennedy Junior High School teacher Jennifer Atseff.
“Nora has this quiet perseverance that makes her a dream student,” Atseff said. “She works hard and doesn’t give up. I am really proud of her academic accomplishments. I feel honored to have had the opportunity to be her teacher.”
As a young child, Nora’s severe dyslexia prevented her from independently reading at an appropriate level. But with help from special education services and Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, she learned to use assistive technology to read and listen to books at a rapid pace.
Today Nora is an avid reader and busy middle school student. But when not pursuing other passions, like rhythmic gymnastics, she spends her free time fundraising and providing testimonials for the Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, and lobbying state lawmakers to support vital literacy programs.
“It is a great program for kids with dyslexia, and it helps them experience books,” Nora said. “They (members of the Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic) have given me so much, and it felt good to help out and show my appreciation. I met many of the volunteers that record the books. They work hard for us, but they love their work.”
Gwen Seely-Joose, special project coordinator for the Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic Midwest, said the youngster is very deserving of this award.
“Nora is an exceptional young lady who has used her personal experience with a reading disability to help ensure that thousands of students like her throughout Illinois will have access to audio books,” Seely-Joose said. “She has continually showed initiative, courage and determination in advocating for herself and others.”
Marilyn Friend, president of the Council for Exceptional Children, shares the sentiment.
“The ‘Yes I Can!’ Awards were developed to honor students with disabilities who have achieved remarkable things,” Friend said. “Nora exemplifies the spirit of these awards with her hard work and perseverance.”
Nora will be honored at the council’s award ceremony April 27 in National Harbor, Md.
By Jane Donahue For The Sun Apr 17, 2011 2:37AM
napervillesun.suntimes.com/news/schools/4816886-418/12-year-old-with-dyslexia-earns-reading-award.htm
Nora Davidauskas, 12, of Naperville recently was awarded the 2011 "Yes, I Can! Award" from the Council for Exceptional Children. | Submitted
Nora Davidauskas of Naperville has a passion for reading and wouldn’t let a learning disability interfere with it. The 12-year-old, who has dyslexia, recently was recognized for her efforts with the 2011 “Yes I Can! Award” from the Council for Exceptional Children.
“It is nice to be recognized for helping other people with the same problem as me,” Nora said. “You can accomplish good things if you don’t let your disability slow you down.”
Each year, the council honors 27 students from the United States and Canada with disabilities who have excelled and display a can-do attitude. The sixth-grader was nominated by Kennedy Junior High School teacher Jennifer Atseff.
“Nora has this quiet perseverance that makes her a dream student,” Atseff said. “She works hard and doesn’t give up. I am really proud of her academic accomplishments. I feel honored to have had the opportunity to be her teacher.”
As a young child, Nora’s severe dyslexia prevented her from independently reading at an appropriate level. But with help from special education services and Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, she learned to use assistive technology to read and listen to books at a rapid pace.
Today Nora is an avid reader and busy middle school student. But when not pursuing other passions, like rhythmic gymnastics, she spends her free time fundraising and providing testimonials for the Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, and lobbying state lawmakers to support vital literacy programs.
“It is a great program for kids with dyslexia, and it helps them experience books,” Nora said. “They (members of the Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic) have given me so much, and it felt good to help out and show my appreciation. I met many of the volunteers that record the books. They work hard for us, but they love their work.”
Gwen Seely-Joose, special project coordinator for the Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic Midwest, said the youngster is very deserving of this award.
“Nora is an exceptional young lady who has used her personal experience with a reading disability to help ensure that thousands of students like her throughout Illinois will have access to audio books,” Seely-Joose said. “She has continually showed initiative, courage and determination in advocating for herself and others.”
Marilyn Friend, president of the Council for Exceptional Children, shares the sentiment.
“The ‘Yes I Can!’ Awards were developed to honor students with disabilities who have achieved remarkable things,” Friend said. “Nora exemplifies the spirit of these awards with her hard work and perseverance.”
Nora will be honored at the council’s award ceremony April 27 in National Harbor, Md.