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This month’s client spotlight is on Elizabeth Cotromano.
Elizabeth is graduating this month from G-Star School of the Arts. She is an accomplished visual artist who also attended BAK Middle School of the Arts. Elizabeth says, “Art is not simply a hobby for me, I want my scope of knowledge to not only be deep but wide. Majoring in the visual arts, I could sit through the eighth lecture I have had on color theory, or I could use my time to learn in an area where I have more room to grow. I also plan to use a degree in materials sciences to manufacture my own art products.”
Elizabeth received college acceptance letters from the FAU - Wilkes Honors College, the University of Central Florida, and the University of Florida, as well as waitlist offers from Davidson College and Wake Forest University, both in North Carolina. She says she is not accepting any of the current enrollment positions in hopes for Wake Forest or Davidson accepting her off of the waitlist. “For what I have done, I willing to wait for my school of choice,” said Elizabeth.
So, what she has done, is indeed the story. Elizabeth came to Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches as a toddler due to an optic nerve glioma that was on the optic nerve in each eye. She started in homebound instruction, and once she started school transitioned through the children and teens programs. “My favorite memory from Lighthouse was the Christmas party in 2015, that party gave me some lasting memories. I received a thoughtful gift of a Pikachu that rests on your shoulder and I spent time with friends from the previous camp year. What I learned most from Lighthouse were from the college readiness programs that I took. I learned more interpersonal aspects of the college experience, which I had yet to consider, such as ethics in the dorm. Using these resources has helped me build confidence to leave for college and work, which is why my dream schools are out of state."
As Elizabeth reflects on graduating from high school, she says, “It’s important to me because it opens opportunities to go beyond what anyone expected of me. Although I do not plan to cherish my high school diploma, it marks a significant shift in my journey. I was diagnosed with lymphoma at the beginning of my high school journey and working my way from hospital homebound make up courses to the hardest offerings at my school, defines what I desired to get out of high school. I proved that I can do something beyond expectations.”
Now its on to college, wherever she ends up selecting, and we can’t wait to hear how she excels in this next phase of her journey. Congratulations Elizabeth, the staff and board of Lighthouse for the Blind are so proud of you!
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