Legally blind student graduates with top marks and a college scholarship

A legally blind student has graduated from high school as a valedictorian – an honor reserved for students who achieve the highest grades.

Jalen Ballard gave a recorded commencement speech at his graduation from his Toledo, Ohio high school as part of his honor as valedictorian.

Ballard was born with Bilateral Microphthalmia and had cataracts removed from his eyes when he was just three months old, as per Fox13 News.

The talented 18-year-old, who can only see light and dark, graduated with a 4.638 grade point average.

Blind St. Francis student graduates as valedictorian | WNWO
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Jalen has been accepted to The University of Michigan after receiving the prestigious Lighthouse Guild Scholarship, reserved for outstanding students who are legally blind.

He plans to major in computer science through the school’s College of Engineering, according to Fox13 News.

“Students like Jalen and others, give us that daily, gentle reminder to think of others first,” said a school spokesman.

What Jalen has achieved should serve to inspire us all. I’m sure he will continue to do great things and we wish him all the best.

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