1996 Ambassadors

 

Group photo of 1996 DO-IT Scholars
 

DO-IT Ambassadors are pursuing post-secondary studies and careers. They share their experiences with the younger DO-IT Scholars and Pals, encouraging them to pursue their goals in college and careers.

Image of David
David, '96 Scholar

My name is David, my friends call me Trek. I graduated from a high school in Washington and now attend Eastern Washington University. I have Attention Deficit Disorder. I would like to get a degree in Microbiology and eventually a masters in Virology. I am also a Trekie. Throughout last year I have helped with DO-IT exhibits and panels. Last summer I worked at a computer camp for kids which is operated by American Computer Experience. I also won the Seattle Youth Hall of Fame Award in 1998. I was an Intern at Summer Study '99.

Image of Cheri
Cheri, '96 Scholars

Hey there. My name is Cheri and I am from Iowa. I am a paraplegic as a result of a farm accident when I was one. I am very active in wheelchair track and I attend the University of Arizona to race and major in molecular and cellular biology. My goals are to someday be a physician who works with disabled children, and to race in the Paralympics. I was an Intern in Summer Study '99.

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Daniel, '96 Scholar

My name is Daniel and I'm 19 years old. I live in Connecticut. In 1990, I was in a bicycle accident in which I hit my head. After an operation to remove a brain tumor, I could do absolutely nothing. Now I can do anything that a normal kid can do except my balance is a little bit off. I love computers. I taught myself programming and I like making programs in Visual Basic. I attend Eastern Connecticut State University. Someday I hope to get a job doing computer programming. Last summer I was an Intern at DO-IT in addition to my summer job entering data into the computers at SARAH Inc., Shoreline Employment Service.

Image of David
David, '96 Scholar

My name is David and I attend Eastern Oregon State College. My particular disability is what most call "full" Albinism, which includes lack of pigment in the hair, skin, and eyes. Consequently, I am extremely sensitive to light and burn easily in the sun. I also have a vision loss which came in the Albinism packet; I have the approximate acuity of 20/200, which can make life interesting at times. For hobbies, I like computers, camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, and playing video games.

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Chris, '96 Scholar

My name is Chris and I attend the University of North Dakota. My major may be in Atmosphere Science with a minor in Geography. I have had a profound hearing loss since I was born. I enjoy fishing, except for the mosquitoes that are irritating here in North Dakota! I enjoy almost anything outdoors. This summer I worked as an intern at Minot State University. I spend most of my time surfing the Internet. I was an Intern last summer at DO-IT. I look forward to future involvement in the DO-IT program and to hearing from all of you on e-mail.

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Lucas, '96 Scholar

My name is Lucas and I am hard of hearing. I was born in Oregon and have lived there all my life. We have a miniature schnauzer named Satie. Sports are a big part of my life. My favorite is baseball. Others I enjoy are football, basketball, golf, hunting, and tennis. I was an Intern at DO-IT last summer and am working at Camp Courage, Minnesota as a counselor this year.

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Maria, '96 Scholar

My name is Maria. I'm from Maine, born in 1980. I am deaf, profoundly deaf. I graduated from a deaf school known as Model School for the Deaf. I like to play softball and volleyball and to read Harlequin romance books and mysteries. My interests are in mathematics and science and I want to be a veterinarian, doctor, or marine biologist. Even though I am deaf, I must believe that I can do it and try it.

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Michael, '96 Scholar

My name is Mike. I am 19 and live in Maine. I graduated this spring from high school. I love computers, music, sports, and anything else fun! I have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), which can result in problems in school. Most of my teachers are understanding enough for me to still do well. However, if it weren't for computers, I would not be half as far along as I am now. I appeared in a DO-IT video on designing accessible Web sites, was an Intern last summer with the DO-IT program, and will attend Pacific Lutheran University this fall.

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Rebecca, '96 Scholar

My name is Rebecca. I was born in San Diego, CA and now attend college there. I've had Cerebral Palsy since birth, affecting my limb motion, hearing, and eyesight. My hobbies include hanging out with my friends, listening to music, writing lyrics, and reading. I think I had a better time at the DO-IT summer program than I've had in two years!

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Katrina, '96 Scholar

Hi! My name is Katie. I'm heading into my junior year at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL, where I am majoring in Art and English (I think!). My favorite pastime is dance. I'm a member of the dance company at my school. Over the past few years, DO-IT has become something very important to me. I think that all their efforts and all the things they do make great differences in many lives. I think I can speak for many others who have been involved in DO-IT when I say I am very grateful for this program. I was an Intern in Summer Study '99.

Image of Jodi
Jodi, '96 Scholar

Hi! My name is Jodi and I graduated from high school in Idaho. I have eight sisters, two brothers, and two dogs. I have mild Cerebral Palsy which affects my lower extremities. I am so lucky to be a part of the DO-IT program. DO-IT has opened up many opportunities for me. Through DO-IT I have learned so much about myself and others with disabilities. I am majoring in pre-medicine at Idaho State University. My life-long dream is to become a physician.

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Anh, '96 Scholar

My name is Anh. I attend the University of California at Berkeley and am pursuing a double major in Political Science and Business/Economics. I'm planning to start an e-commerce company in a couple of years. I have Larsen Syndrome, which affects the joints in my body. I use an electric wheelchair. Last year, I attended the 1998 Intel Conference in Fort Worth, Texas and presented DO-IT to an international audience.

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Travis, '96 Scholar

My name is Travis and I am blind. I live on a farm in Nebraska. When I am at home, I usually help on the farm with feeding our hogs or with the irrigation of our corn. I am excited about the Internet and happy that I am getting some experience with it. I was an Intern in the summer of 1998 with DO-IT. This summer I worked as a computer consultant intern for the state of Nebraska. This fall I will be a sophomore at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, majoring in computer science and will possibly minor in accounting or finance.

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James, '96 Scholar

I'm James. My disability is Cerebral Palsy, which was caused by a medical accident when I was two months old. I have a sister, Tiffani, and a brother, Aaron. I graduated from high school and I am considering attending the University of Pittsburgh. I hope to open a business, like a restaurant. My interests are football, television, and mathematics.

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Dana, '96 Scholar

I am Dana from Massachusetts. I like to cruise the 'Net, play soccer, swim, play volleyball, and play my bass. I have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and LD (learning disability) which makes it hard for me to write and understand certain things. My best subjects are science, math, and history. My worst subject is English.

Image of Josh
Joshua, '96 Scholar

My name is Josh and I use a wheelchair. I live with my family on a dairy farm in Iowa. My sister and brother use wheelchairs, too. We have Muscular Dystrophy. In my free time I work in my raised garden and my garden pond that I can get up to and feed the fish. I also like to explore the Net, chat, listen to music, and design Web pages. My mom and I have a small nursery and a gift shop at our home. I just completed my first year at Hawkeye Community College to study horticulture/landscape design. When I finish college I plan to further expand our business.