Zeke Nierenberg Wins National Scholarship

El Cerrito student wins Anne Ford Scholarship

From the El Cerrito Wire
4/24/09

Orinda Academy announced that Zeke Nierenberg, 18, a member of the school’s senior class, is a recipient of the Anne Ford Scholarship, a $10,000 award from the National Center for Learning Disabilities given to a high school senior who is pursuing an undergraduate degree. Nierenberg, a resident of El Cerrito, is one of two winners of the scholarship chosen from the 450 students nationwide who applied for the award.

“Zeke is an outstanding student and this award recognizes his ambition and successes,” says Ron Graydon, founder and head of Orinda Academy. “The award is also a tribute to our faculty and staff who have facilitated Zeke’s development and achievements.”

Nierenberg says he has various visual processing and sequencing disorders. He credits Orinda Academy with providing him with tools to be able to focus and put his talents toward becoming a successful student.

During his high school career, Nierenberg, with a group of friends, created Future Builders, a youth organization that uses art to power social change. The organization holds benefit concerts and other fundraisers for environmental and humanitarian organizations. Information is available at http://future-builders.org

“My learning challenges taught me that I have to work hard, but Orinda Academy helped teach me that by putting energy into my school work a lot of new opportunities emerge,” says Nierenberg. “ I am honored to receive the Anne Ford award.” Nierenberg will attend Hampshire College in Amherst, MA this fall.

Run dates: 2009-04-25 - 2009-05-25

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