Active student doesn't let blindness define her

Rose Sloan doesn't want you to focus on her vision impairment.

"I don't make excuses," the 18-year-old said.

It's hard to ignore what the Schaumburg High School senior has achieved. Just last month she was awarded a $14,000 college scholarship from the Jewish Guild for the Blind, one of the 13 college-bound students in the country to receive the honor.

Sloan hasn't submitted her college applications yet, but says her first choice is Northwestern University. She's also applying to Notre Dame and Illinois Wesleyan. She wants to stay within a four-hour drive from home.

Despite being legally blind - she was born with congenital glaucoma - Sloan excels at school both inside and outside the classroom. She's spent four years on the varsity gymnastics team, where she specializes on the vault. With the help of a few extra spotters, she's also able to perform handsprings and other stunts on the balance beam. She downplays the special efforts she makes to not only compete, but to succeed.

"I don't know anything different," Sloan said.

Besides gymnastics, Sloan also participates in school musicals and is a member of the National Honor Society.

She earned the scholarship by writing an essay about a teacher who inspired her, Hamid Mehreioskoeui, who taught her world history. She's also thankful to Palatine-Schaumburg District 211 vision teacher Nicole Smulkstys and teaching assistant Sari Cimbalo, who ensure she has the proper large-type textbooks and work sheets.

Sloan wants to inspire those who hear about her achievements.

"If you work hard, good things will happen," she said.