READER'S ROCK LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE VOL 2 ISSUE 4 NOVEMBER 2014 Vol. 1 Issue 5 November 2013 | Page 62

Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities,
Inc. announces the 2014 Fred J.
Epstein Youth
Achievement Award Contest, a
nationwide recognition for students 19
or younger with learning
disabilities (LD) or ADHD.

Westport, CT (PRWEB)
November 05, 2013 -- Smart Kids
with Learning Disabilities, Inc.
announces the 2014
Fred J. Epstein Youth
Achievement Award Contest, a
nationwide recognition for
students 19 or younger with
learning disabilities (LD) or
ADHD. The $1,000 award will be
made to a student who
demonstrates talent and
determination resulting in a
notable accomplishment in any
field including art, music, math,
athletics, science
or community service. Honorable
Mentions will also be awarded.
The award will be presented at
the organization’s annual benefit
on the evening of Friday, April 25,
2014 at the
Hyatt Regency in Old Greenwich,
Connecticut. Transportation and
hotel accommodations will be
provided for
the winning student and his/her
parents.
Applications may be submitted by
parents, teachers, coaches, or by
students themselves, via a form
posted on
the organization's website at
http://www.smartkidswithld.org/20
14-youth-achievement-award.
The contest deadline is January
31, 2014.
Winners will be posted on the
organization’s website on April 1,
2014.
Dr. Devon MacEachron, an
expert on giftedness and learning
disabilities at the 2E Learners
Center in New

Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities Announces
the 2014 Fred J. Epstein
Youth Achievement Award Contest,
Celebrating the Outstanding
Accomplishments of Students with LD
York City, said, “Too often, we
focus primarily on these students’
weaknesses and fail to support
their
considerable strengths.
Identifying and nurturing their
strengths is vitally important to
helping them succeed,
both in the classroom and
beyond.” The Youth Achievement
Award helps to celebrate these
children’s
potential, and to combat the
widespread misconception that
children with LD are any less
capable than their
peers.
In June 2012, the Award was
named in honor of the late Dr.
Fred Epstein, the pioneering
pediatric
neurosurgeon who credited his
significant learning disabilities as
a major factor in his success. He
played an
important role in talking openly
with children about his own
struggles and ultimate success,
becoming an
inspiration to children with LD.
The winner of the 2013 Fred J.
Epstein Youth Achievement
Award was Mackinzie Hamilton
from Providence,
Utah. At 19, she was a student at
Utah State University majoring in
journalism and communications,
as well as
Assistant NewsDirector of Utah
Public Radio, an NPR station
where she reported, produced,
and hosted a
popular news program. Kinzie's
fierce drive an d strong work ethic

have helped her deal with the
challenges
posed by her ADHD. Kinzie has
found her niche in broadcast
journalism, where, as she notes,
“the deadlines
are concrete and unforgiving. At
12:30 you’ll be on live so you
better be ready, because there’s
no re-record
button.”
A Special Recognition Award was
presented to Alexandra Sandlin of
Vienna, VA. Sky Burke of
Holbrook, NY
received a Junior Achievement
Award. Honorable Mentions were
awarded to students from
Montgomery, MD, Battle Creek,
NE, Weston, CT, Bowie, MD,
Sioux City, IA and New Hope, PA.
About Smart Kids with Learning
Disabilities, Inc.:
Smart Kids with Learning
Disabilities, Inc. is a non-profit
organization dedicated to
empowering parents of
children with learning disabilities
(LD) and attention-deficit disorder
(ADHD). Its mission is to educate,
guide
and inspire families dealing with
disabilities and to change the
perception of learning disabilities
as a
stigmatizing condition. Henry
Winkler, the famed actor, director
and producer as well as the
author of the Hank
Zipzer book series about a boy
with learning disabilities and
ADHD, serves as the
organization's Honorary
Chairman.