Notables

Sunflower Conversations

THE SUNFLOWER CONVERSATIONS: Ginger Ragaishis is Miss Vermont's Teen 2023 and is currently a senior in high school. Ginger has ADHD and learning disabilities and uses her lived experience to deliver talks to younger students to give them the confidence to be their authentic selves while at the same time raising awareness about acceptance. We talk about how Ginger's processing disorder and ADHD have affected her educational experience and how essential the adjustments made by her school have been to allow her to excel academically. Ginger has experienced depression and discusses her triggers and how she advises young people to seek advice.

hdsunflower.com

Not In A Huff Podcast

NOT IN A HUFF: Defying Limits is the theme of this weeks conversation with Ginger Ragaishis. We talk about how she achieved her goals of becoming Miss Vermont's Teen this past year and the two year journey it took to take the crown. We also talk about invisible disabilities and how she did not let a learning disability keep her down. We have an important chat on accommodations for those with disabilities and how simple ones in her own life took her from failing grades to 4.0. Ginger is truly defying limits and created an organization called just that to help others defying them as well. This was a fun chat!

Link to all things Not in a Huff Podcast: https://linktr.ee/notinahuffpodcast

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2023 Scholarship Winner

Amount $1,500

Elaina Krusiewski

Miss Vermont’s Teen Awards First Scholarship from her 501c3 

Defying Limits, Inc Awards Its Inaugural Scholarship: Empowering Success Despite Disabilities
Manchester Center, VT - Ginger Ragaishis, Founder and Spokesperson of Defying Limits, Inc, recently presented her organization's first-ever scholarship, amounting to $1,500, at the Manchester Community Library. The event celebrated the achievements of an outstanding young individual who has triumphed over adversity and demonstrated exceptional success despite facing disabilities.
Ginger Ragaishis, a rising senior at Burr and Burton Academy and reigning Miss Vermont's Teen, has been an advocate for inclusivity and empowerment throughout her tenure. Recognizing the need to uplift students who have overcome obstacles due to disabilities, Ginger founded the non-profit organization Defying Limits, Inc with a vision support and inspire such individuals.
Defying Limits, Inc operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with the primary mission of awarding a yearly scholarship to a rising college freshman who has demonstrated noteworthy accomplishments despite facing disabilities. This scholarship aims to provide financial assistance and recognize the dedication and perseverance of individuals as they embark on their journey into higher education.
The inaugural scholarship recipient, Elaina Krusiewski, was announced at the event. Elaina is a rising freshman at the University of Utah and has displayed incredible achievements despite facing a hidden disability. As a top-ranked skier, she is dedicated to pursuing her dreams of skiing competitively and has already made a significant impact in the world of sports.
“Thank you so much for this award,” said Krusiewski. “This scholarship will ensure that I can continue to do what I love.”
Ragaishis further commended Elaina's accomplishments and emphasized the importance of supporting aspiring young individuals like her. "Elaina's achievements in the face of her hidden disability are truly awe-inspiring,” said Ragaishis. “We are thrilled to have her as the first-ever recipient of the Defying Limits scholarship and are confident that she will continue to inspire many others on her journey ahead.”
Defying Limits, Inc.’s mission is to shine a light on hidden disabilities by breaking down invisible barriers and creating a supportive community where individuals feel less alone. The organization invites like-minded people to join their mission, celebrate differences, and shed the shame and labels of hidden disabilities. Central to their commitment is the annual awarding of a scholarship to a rising college freshman who has succeeded despite facing a hidden disability.
Defying Limits, Inc remains committed to its mission of breaking down the invisible barriers of fostering a more inclusive and accessible world for individuals with disabilities through various initiatives and partnerships. With Elaina's inspiring story as a shining example, the organization aims to expand its scholarship program's impact and empower even more young scholars in the years to come.