2024 Scholarship Recipients

2024 Arthur L. Ebert Scholarship Recipient: Charlie Vogelmann

At just seven years old, Charlie faced a daunting challenge: a diagnosis of an Optic Glioma, a brain tumor pressing against his optic nerve. The tumor’s location robbed him of vision in his left eye and left him with only partial sight in his right.

Background
Charlie’s journey was inspired by a connection he made at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, where he learned about Vision Forward. The program had garnered praise for its effective support of individuals with vision impairments, and Charlie was eager to explore the array of tools that could empower him and others like him.

Current Plans
Determined to turn his experience into a source of strength, Charlie has set his sights on a future in teaching, aiming to specialize in braille education. He plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater for the first two years—its proximity to home offering comfort and support—before transferring to Northern Illinois University. He’s focused on aspirations of achieving a GPA around 3.5.

Becoming a braille teacher holds deep significance for Charlie; he understands the struggles of navigating a world designed for the sighted. With sincere empathy, he envisions helping children and adults gain independence through reading and mobility. This scholarship is a vital step toward realizing that dream, enabling him to reach and assist even more people in need.

2024 Arthur L. Ebert Scholarship Recipient: Kaylee Mueller

Born with Congenital Achromatopsia, Kaylee navigates a world where her cones and rods don’t share the workload evenly. This condition limits her ability to see fine details, affects her depth perception, and heightens her sensitivity to light.

Growing up, she often found herself as the only blind person many of her peers had encountered. This unique position forced her to become a quick problem solver and advocate for herself, even as adults looked on, unsure of how to assist. Thankfully, her family encouraged her to embrace her disability without shyness. Since elementary school, she has confidently advocated for her needs, a trait that has made her eager to support her friends with their needs.

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

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

Current Plans
Now entering her senior year at UW-Green Bay, Kaylee is majoring in Psychology with double minors in Sociology & Anthropology and Women’s Gender & Sexuality Studies. As she approaches the completion of her undergraduate degree, her sights are set on pursuing a Master’s in Social Work. Though uncertain of why she initially chose UWGB, the vibrant campus community has kept her engaged. She has connected with both staff and peers who have guided her on her journey toward self-acceptance, teaching her to appreciate the beauty of human diversity and the richness of different experiences.

Winning this scholarship represents two significant things for her. First, it validates all her hard work and accomplishments. Throughout her life, she has sought to level the playing field with her peers, but recently, she has begun to appreciate that everyone is playing their own unique game, with different approaches and no singular right way. Secondly, this scholarship inspires her to keep putting in the effort; the recognition she receives reinforces that her hard work is meaningful. With this support, she feels a lighter financial burden as she finishes her studies, allowing her to focus more on her future.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Jasmine Bertschy

In recent years, Jasmine has navigated the challenges and triumphs of living with visual impairment. Since losing her vision in 2018, she has embraced this new chapter with resilience and positivity. Her journey has been enriched by the connections she’s made, particularly through the Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Here, she has not only gained valuable skills but also formed lifelong friendships within the vibrant blind community. This community has provided a unique perspective on life, broadening her horizons and introducing her to new experiences.

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. This organization has played a crucial role in her support network, showcasing a commitment to empowering individuals with visual impairments.

Current Plans
As she looks to the future, her academic aspirations are firmly rooted in psychology. Currently enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater at Rock County, Jasmine has chosen this path because of her genuine interest in understanding and supporting others. With a goal of becoming a mental health counselor, she is motivated by a deep desire to help individuals navigate their own challenges. This passion for connection and empathy drives her educational journey.

Winning a scholarship from Vision Forward represents more than just financial assistance; it symbolizes validation and encouragement for Jasmine. For her, it’s an opportunity to demonstrate that individuals with visual impairments can achieve their dreams and contribute meaningfully to society. She envisions a future where more people rally behind the blind community, fostering an inclusive environment that supports everyone’s ambitions. Jasmine hopes to see a world where organizations and companies recognize the potential within each individual, regardless of their challenges.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: Jarra Senghore

Jarra has always viewed her visual impairment as simply a different ability rather than a disability. Born with her eye condition, it’s all she’s ever known, and she finds strength in her perspective. With two out of her three younger siblings also sharing this condition, Jarra believes that everyone is made exactly as they are meant to be. While she acknowledges that bad days do happen, she focuses on the positives and the unique abilities that come with her experiences.

Background
Jarra first learned about Vision Forward through her Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI), who introduced her to the resources and community that the organization offers.

Current Plans
Currently, Jarra is pursuing her education at Northern Illinois University, where she’s majoring in Special Education with a focus on visual impairment. Her goal is to earn a master’s degree, though she’s still exploring her options for that next step. Having two younger siblings with visual impairments has fueled her passion for teaching. Jarra wants to empower children with visual impairments, showing them that their condition doesn’t hold them back and that they can achieve great things if they set their minds to it.

Winning a scholarship from Vision Forward means the world to Jarra. It represents fewer barriers to her education and reduces some of the worries she faces as she works toward her dreams. She is grateful for the support and encouragement from the Vision Forward team, which brings her one step closer to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children with visual impairments.

2024 Scholarship Recipient: George Tuttle

George is our only graduate student who is pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Carroll University. He has Cone Dystrophy, which he describes as only seeing shapes in the distance. George is active on campus. He has held several jobs including teaching assistant and tutor and is an active member of Rotary International’s club, which afforded him an opportunity to study abroad in Brazil in HS where he learned Portuguese. He hopes to one day work in a patient-centered medial practice helping others.