2025 Scholarship Recipients

2025 Vision Forward Scholarship Recipient:
Mayra Badillo

young woman with dark hair and glasses smiling

Background
Born with cataracts, Mayra underwent surgery as an infant to have them removed. Following the procedure, she developed aphakic glaucoma. While her vision is generally functional during the day, small print can be difficult to read comfortably, and navigating at night presents more of a challenge. To assist with unfamiliar environments, she uses a white cane. Despite these obstacles, she views her disability as something that does not prevent her from living a full and independent life.

Current Plans
Mayra is pursuing a major in Special Education with an emphasis on Visual Impairments, she aspires to become a teacher for students who are blind or visually impaired. Her primary educational goal is to earn certification so she can begin helping children better understand and feel comfortable with their own visual disabilities. She has chosen Northern Illinois University for its in-person program—one of the few of its kind in the country. Several of Mayra’s own vision teachers graduated from NIU and were enthusiastic in supporting her application, offering guidance and insight into the college experience. These mentors are thrilled about Mayra’s chosen path and future career.

What does this scholarship mean to her?
Receiving this scholarship represents a real opportunity to achieve her dream of becoming a teacher. Although it was initially difficult to accept the idea of leaving home to pursue her career, knowing that organizations and foundations exist to support individuals entering this in-demand field has been deeply encouraging. This scholarship also gives her hope that more bilingual professionals will consider careers in this area—something Mayra has found to be lacking. She proudly embraces the opportunity to be a stepping stone for others and is passionate about helping families better understand and support their children with vision loss.


2025 Vision Forward Scholarship Recipient: Kaylee Mueller

Background
Several years ago, they attended a small assistive technology demonstration followed by dinner. It was one of their first experiences in a room filled with others who also had visual impairments, and they found it incredibly uplifting.

Passionate about empowering others, they envision a future where they can help people find and use their voices—perhaps as a counselor or in advocacy work.

Update
This Spring, they graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and this Fall, will be starting their Master’s of Social Work, alongside a field placement, where they will be helping with first year students outreach and retention at UW-Green Bay. Their end goal is to be working in Higher Education helping students navigate college life.

Kaylee was also a winner last year. Learn more about their story here.

2025 Arthur L. Ebert Scholarship Recipient:
Jasmine Bertschy

“I would like to thank the all Sular Ažbe committee for choosing me to be a recipient of the Vision Forward scholarship once again. Your scholarship last year helped to pay part of my tuition for the Fall semester and this year it will help again. Without Vision Forward’s graciousness, support, and willingness to help visually impaired and blind students attend college, I believe many students like myself would not have the funds or encouragement to further their educations. – Jasmine Bertschy”

Background
Jasmine’s introduction to Vision Forward came through a teacher for the visually impaired at her public school, and later, during her time at the Wisconsin Center.

Update
Since last year, Jasmine is continuing to pursue a major in psychology. The fall and spring semesters of her last year went very well, with grades that consisted of A’s and B’s. She is very proud of her accomplishments and is on track to have an Associates Degree by the end of this academic year, and then continue on to get her Bachelors in Psychology. Her end goal is a Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling. With hard work and dedication, she knows her goals can be achieved.

Jasmine was also a winner last year. Learn more about her story here.


2025 Arthur L. Ebert Scholarship Recipient:
Brittany Sterling

Brittany is currently an accounting student at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, with plans to pursue her master’s degree and obtain her CPA license. She is also considering adding a second major in finance to further expand her career opportunities.

Brittany has known about Vision Forward since its earlier days as the Badger Association of the Blind. She lost her eyesight at the age of eight due to a brain tumor pressing on her optic nerve. On July 12, she will celebrate an incredible milestone—20 years cancer-free.

This scholarship will help her pay for her glasses and textbooks which will relieve the financial stress on herself.