Yona-Nemirof
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 changed everything. With the proper support, she gained confidence and found her voice. Realizing that many dyslexic students face barriers that hinder learning, she is committed to reshaping how dyslexic thinking is viewed in education and the workplace. In college, her plan to recruit high school students to advocate for early dyslexia screening and legislative change was inspired by the success of the New York Individuals with Dyslexia Education Act. Her goal is to empower young leaders across the country to push for a more inclusive education system.

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