2005 Marion Huber Learning Through Listening Awards

Karen Jenkins - Ohio

While in elementary school, Karen Jenkins experienced nothing but frustration as she struggled with dyslexia. "In elementary school, I had trouble learning how to read, write, spell and learn math," recalls Karen. "In fact, in fourth grade, my parents pulled me out of public school and enrolled me in a school for gifted students with dyslexia in Honolulu." Despite her difficulties, Karen would one day graduate near the top of her class with a GPA of 4.0. She credits RFB&D with helping her get there.

Recommended by a school psychologist, RFB&D's audiobooks made all the difference to Karen. She had previously used the "time-consuming" decoding method to read material for school, but recorded textbooks greatly helped her keep up with and excel in advanced courses. The English chairperson at Karen's high school said she was the "most academic student" in the class and had the highest grades of any other student in the English program. Karen was equally as impressive outside of the classroom, where she contributed to her community by volunteering for Meals on Wheels and the Salvation Army and donating toys to a local children's hospital.

Karen now attends Ohio Northern University, where she is combining her interests in biology and chemistry in pursuit of a pharmaceutical degree. She also strives to create awareness of the value of RFB&D for students with learning disabilities. "Without the RFB&D library, I would not have been able to achieve all that I have in school," says Karen. "Applying to pharmacy school would only have been a dream - not a reality."

Christine Lowry - Virginia

Christine Lowry's struggle with dyslexia was so challenging, that she recalls reading at a second grade level in the sixth grade and being cautioned "not to take honors or advanced placement classes because they were too difficult."

Diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age, Christine says, "I faced prejudice against people with disabilities from my peers and teachers. Throughout high school, I had to fight for accommodations for my learning needs." Fortunately, Christine ignored the naysayers and graduated high school with honors.

According to Christine, her life turned around when she discovered RFB&D while being home schooled in the seventh grade. Since then, she says RFB&D's audio textbooks "have set me free." In addition to her full and challenging academic schedule, Christine was also a member of the Astronomy Club, served as President of the High School Robotics Team and was co-captain of the NASA SLI Rocketry Team. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys the violin, crew and horseback riding.

Christine is confident that RFB&D will remain at her side as she attends the Rochester Institute of Technology and pursues a career in mechanical engineering. "RFB&D has helped me complete my secondary school education with confidence," Christine proclaims. "I will need its continued support with my college classes." Beyond that, Christine sees limitless possibilities and aspires to earn a master's degree and start her own business.

Philip Wyks - New Jersey

Philip Wyks' dyslexia was so severe, he recalls getting frustrated and angry. "Everyone around me was doing better than me," he says. "I was sometimes made fun of by the other kids because, even though I usually understood the overall idea, I couldn't read some of the words in our books."

After being introduced to the school newspaper in his high school journalism class, Philip went home and told his mother that he could write anything, but was confused that obesity wasn't allowed; this surely seemed out of place. Also confused, his mother looked at his paper and replied, "Philip, the word is obscenity."

According to Philip, his life turned around after he used RFB&D audiobooks to help him comprehend novels in an English class. Philip says that "living the book through listening" enabled him to go beyond simply decoding words to discover their meanings. In addition, RFB&D helped Philip relate to characters, seek out the hidden messages within the story and finally comprehend what the story is communicating.

Comparing dyslexia to running a cross country race at 200 pounds rather than his top shape of 140 pounds, Philip, an avid runner, states that "RFB&D takes off the extra 60 pounds." He is confident that RFB&D will be a companion as he attends American University in Washington, DC, to study business, sociology and criminal justice in preparation for a career with the federal government.