Students Recognized For Outstanding Achievements Receive Learning Ally's 2025 'Learning Through Listening' National Achievement Award

PRINCETON, N.J., May 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Learning Ally, a national nonprofit working with U.S. schools to strengthen reading outcomes for students with learning differences, has announced the winners of its 2025 National Achievement Awards.

The annual awards program recognizes the outstanding academic and personal achievements of high school and college-age students who have triumphed in the face of persistent challenges due to a learning difference such as dyslexia, a vision impairment, or blindness.

Howard Bell, III, CEO of Learning Ally, said, "These students are remarkable examples of determination and academic excellence. Their ability to overcome reading barriers and achieve at the highest levels shows what's possible when students have access to the right tools and support. This year's winners have demonstrated exceptional resilience, leadership, and service to their communities. We're honored to recognize their achievements and the educators who have supported their journey."

For more than 60 years, Learning Ally has recognized students who demonstrate exceptional academic progress using our technological solution. This year's selection process was enhanced through a partnership with CSAA Insurance Group, whose employees volunteered to review applications and select the winners.

The 2025 Award winners are:
Marion Huber Learning Through Listening®™ Award - Top Honor Winners ($6,000):

• Carly Bonser, Idaho
• Erica Frishberg, Florida
• Kasey Guren, Illinois

Marion Huber Learning Through Listening™ Award - Special Honor Winners ($3,000):

• Zsuzsa Horvath, Hawaii
• Lucas Hromada, Maryland
• Benjamin Polega, Texas

Mary P. Oenslager Scholastic Achievement Award:

• Thomas Woodyard, Georgia

The awards, funded by generous donors, provide endowed scholarships for students with print and learning differences, and recognize educators ensuring accessible, equitable curriculum. The Marion Huber award goes to high school seniors with learning differences, while the Mary P. Oenslager award recognizes college seniors and graduate students who are blind or visually impaired.

These awards highlight the transformative impact of accessible education, especially significant considering that 41% of students with learning disabilities fail to graduate high school, and more than 70% of working-age adults with significant vision loss aren't employed full-time. Winners are selected based on academic accomplishments, leadership, community service, the impact of Learning Ally's services on their education, and their personal stories.

The National Achievement Awards program continues Learning Ally's legacy of literacy support that began in 1948, when founder Anne T. McDonald organized volunteers to record textbooks for returning WWII veterans with vision loss who were pursuing higher education through the GI Bill.

About Learning Ally

Originally known as Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, Learning Ally is a leading nonprofit education organization dedicated to equipping educators with proven solutions that help struggling readers, including students with dyslexia, reach their potential. Our range of literacy-focused offerings for students from Pre-K to 12th grade, including our award-winning reading resource, the Learning Ally Audiobook Solution^®, supports more than 2.4 million students in 24,000 schools across the U.S.

Help more struggling students succeed by visiting LearningAlly.org/Donate or learn more about corporate partnership opportunities.

Contact:
Faye Lacasse
9785361195
[email protected]

SOURCE Learning Ally