Utah State University student Sachin Dev Pavithran was awarded the Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship for outstanding blind students from the National Federation of the Blind. Pavithran is the first person from Utah to win the prestigious $12,000 scholarship.

The award was announced at the federation’s 67th annual convention in Atlanta,Ga., where Pavithran and 29 other finalists met with members of the awards committee. All 30 finalists received scholarships ranging from $3,000 and upward.

Pavithran works at USU as an assistive technology specialist for the Center for Persons with Disabilities, where he provides technical assistance on accessible information technology for individuals and groups and helps evaluate products related to Web accessibility and design. Pavithran is also working on a master’s degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling.

"I wasn't expecting to win,” said Pavithran. “When the $3,000 awards were being announced, I started counting. With only two awards left, Pavithran and the winner of the $10,000 award were brought to the stage.

"I turned to the girl and wished her luck with her speech," Pavithran said. Instead, Pavithran found himself giving the winner's speech. "I was in shock,” he said. “I had to give a talk in front of 2,800 people unprepared" Each of the finalists were also presented with an additional $1,000 check.

The 30 finalists were chosen from more than 500 applicants and the final decisions were made at the meeting in Atlanta. The committee met with each of the finalist one-on-one. The committee comprised of attorneys, White House staff members, high-ranking officials from the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Transportation and others ­ all of whom are blind.

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