Overcoming the Odds Local Student Wins National Scholarship

CAN DO KID

overcoming the odds Local Student Wins National Scholarship

By Christy Jaillet

Joshua Hoffman is an exceptional human being. He was only one pound, eleven ounces when he was born, and was not expected to live longer than a couple of days. Yet, he beat the odds and survived. Unfortunately, complications from his early birth rendered him almost blind. Yet, despite his vision impairment, the 18-year-old has accomplished more than men twice his age.

He was named National Ambassador for the March of Dimes organization while only in Primary School. During this time, he traveled to 27 states and 52 cities to advocate for preemies like him. He also lobbied Congress, gave media interviews, and sang to 100,000 music fans. His favorite moment was a bit quieter - a private meeting with President Obama in the Oval Office. This curious teen enjoys studying our planet and outer space. His dream is to go to the Moon. “My eyes are too fragile to withstand the g-forces of a launch,” said Joshua, “so I developed a spacecraft concept that reduces g-forces for civilian flights and worked with a mentor at the University of Miami's Aerospace Department; who helped develop the feasibility of my proposal.” Joshua never let his poor vision stop him from anything, even traveling to live in England as an exchange student.

“I faced my greatest challenge yet when I left the security of my home and school to be an exchange student in England,” said Joshua, “I took many photographs of my journey and wrote a student travel blog to share my favorite photos with other students and travelers.”

It’s no wonder that this accomplished American Heritage student received the prestigious Lighthouse Guild Scholarship and will be studying Geography at Virginia Tech next year. “My major in college will be Geography which will prepare me for a career in urban planning and space tourism.” Joshua plans to participate in a study abroad program in college.

Perhaps it took near blindness for Joshua to see that anything is possible. We can’t wait to see where he soars next.

Lighthouse Guild scholarships are based on strong academic accomplishment and merit to help students who are legally blind make a successful transition to college and graduate school. The 2021 recipients are from diverse backgrounds and will be attending some of the nation’s most competitive universities.

Since 2005, Lighthouse Guild’s Scholarship Program has awarded approximately $2.6 million in scholarships to outstanding students from around the country. Former scholarship recipients have gone on to careers as nurses, attorneys, teachers, engineers, chemists, composers, musicians, neuroscientists, social workers, business owners, investors, epidemiologists, physician assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, journalists and computer scientists. "We are particularly pleased to provide scholarships this year during a time when COVID-19 has presented unprecedented challenges for students who are visually impaired,” said Calvin W. Roberts, MD, President and CEO of Lighthouse Guild. “I commend these outstanding students for their perseverance and academic achievements and wish them success in their future careers.”