2023 Jaidon Joseph Smith Educational Scholarship Award Recipient

Ryan was a high school senior who was passionate about neuroscience and rowing. He had overcome many challenges in his academic life, such as learning how to manage his time, advocate for himself, and plan his writing assignments. He joined the GT/LD program in sixth grade, where at the time he was often behind on multiple assignments from different classes and overwhelmed by the workload. He had a difficulty with writing, especially the planning portion of it, because he struggled to organize his thoughts in his head and translate them on to paper. He had to work hard to improve his writing skills and complete his assignments.

He credits the GT/LD program and his resource teachers for helping him develop these skills and supporting him throughout his middle and high school years.

Ryan joined the Walter Johnson Crew Club in ninth grade and had been a dedicated member ever since. He enjoyed the physical and mental benefits of rowing, as well as the camaraderie and teamwork with his fellow rowers. He believed that rowing had taught him discipline, perseverance, and resilience, and without the assistance of his case managers and the GT/LD program he may not have been able to learn to manage his time to accommodate this activity. This fall he plans to attend college and major in neuroscience, with the possibility of pursuing medical school in the future.