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.