The Braille Institute and the Lions Club came together in this year’s Rose Parade, and a young lady from Anaheim was front and center.
Evelyn Maldonado was one of three musically talented bilingual Braille Institute students from Southern California that got to ride on the Lions Club float on New Year’s Day.
They were helping to celebrate Braille Institute’s centennial in 2019, but also helping to inspire other visually impaired or handicapped kids by showing them they are not letting their visual impairment or handicap prevent them from living their dreams. Because this year’s theme was “the Melody of Life,” each student was chosen because of his or her musical talents.
For a century, the nonprofit Braille Institute has been empowering those who are blind and visually impaired to lead productive, independent and fulfilling lives.
Maldonado, 15, is a tenth grader attending Anaheim High School who loves to sing. For the past nine years, she has been part of Braille Institute’s Youth Program where she had the opportunity to perform the lead role of Ariel in “The Little Mermaid” musical. She is currently a lead performer in the Johnny Mercer Youth Choir.
Maldonado said, “I love singing and performing because it makes me feel connected to others.”
She suffered from Retinoblastoma cancer in her eyes, which caused her to become blind. Blindness has not kept her from being a good student and role model, however.
She has been recognized as Student of the Month and on the honor roll.
Prior to the parade, she said, “I can’t wait to ride on the Rose Parade float on New Year’s Day, and I’ve actually been practicing my wave.”
