Yona N.

2025 Scholarship Recipient

Yona N.

She/Her)
Cornell University, NY
Dyslexia

With the diagnosis of dyslexia came both relief and confusion. I could finally pinpoint what was holding me back but had no idea what it meant. I transferred to a school for students with “language-based learning disabilities,” a phrase that did not roll nicely off my lips. This move changed my life. I realized that when taught differently I could learn and succeed. After years of staying quiet in class, I began to add my voice to the conversation.

Yona’s dyslexia diagnosis brought both relief and uncertainty, but transferring to a school for students with learning differences transformed her path. With the right support, she gained confidence and discovered her voice. Recognizing that many dyslexic students still face barriers that hinder learning, she is determined to reshape how dyslexic thinking is understood in both education and the workplace. As a legislative intern for Congresswoman Joanne Simons, Yona contributed to efforts that inspired the passage of the New York Individuals with Dyslexia Education Act. Her goal is to empower young leaders nationwide to push for a more inclusive education system.

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