2002 Marion Huber Learning Through Listening™ Awards

In fourth grade, CLAYTON COLE MADDUX of Deerfield, KS, was diagnosed with dyslexia. "Besides finally knowing what my problem was, learning to use Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic was the best thing that ever happened to me," says Maddux.

"RFB&D enabled me to 'be like all the other kids'… Using RFB&D helped restore my confidence and wavering self-esteem."

A farmhand on his family's farm every summer since he can remember, Maddux worked hard in the classroom as well. He was ranked #1 in his Deerfield High School class, achieving valedictorian status. He won the University of Kansas Crowell Book Award, United States Achievement Academy Award for math performance, was an All-American Scholar and an honor society member.

He was also freshman class president and freshman and senior homecoming attendant. Co-captain of his basketball team his senior year, he was named "All Tournament Athlete" at the Panhandle Tournament in Goodwell, OK.

While in high school, Maddux completed 24 college dual credits and he is now attending Kansas State University. Undecided about his major at this time, he is leaning toward psychology or sociology. He is also pursuing a minor in leadership studies.

As a youngster, TERESA MAHER of Blacksburg, VA, despised reading. "At that time, I hated to read primarily because I was not good at reading. Nobody likes to partake in activities in which they are not good because, when they do it poorly, it belittles them and their abilities."

Maher was introduced to RFB&D in third grade, a year after she was diagnosed with a learning disability. "RFB&D books gave me a huge advantage in my literature skills. Listening to novels in elementary school bestowed the magnificent gift of a larger vocabulary, which strengthened with each book that I absorbed. These novels also kindled my love for books, which continues to this day."

Maher graduated from Blacksburg High School with a 3.89 GPA, and was a four-year Virginia High School League Academic Excellence award winner. A National Honor Society member and a tutor, she was on the girls' soccer and basketball teams, and was named co-captain of the basketball team her senior year.

Maher is now studying mathematics at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She is involved in the Residential Leadership Community and is a member of the Virginia Tech Ski Team. Her aspiration is to become an actuary.

KEVIN SWARTZ of Sarasota, FL, was diagnosed with dyslexia and an articulation disorder when he was 7 years old. In the third grade, he was transferred to Pine View School for the Gifted and, three years later, was introduced to RFB&D.

"RFB&D's tapes gave me independence to read material and not be dependent on my classmates and mother. I no longer dismissed reading books and assignments as impossible. The words on the page came alive and had meaning," he says. A National Honor Society member, Swartz took advanced placement courses and English at Manatee Community College, and graduated from Pine View with a 4.4 GPA. He was a star football player, weightlifter, and track and field competitor.

At age 10, Swartz began helping at a Habitat for Humanity job site. His many years of subsequent involvement with the organization earned him the Governor's Point of Light award for volunteerism, presented by Florida Governor Jeb Bush, and a host of other awards.

Swartz is now at the University of Southern California (USC) where he's majoring in business, competing on the USC track and field team, and is a dean's list student. He aspires to work in the area of finance, management or accounting.