Veronica Hyatt is an outspoken senior in the Blind High School from Fruitland Park. Since her sixth grade enrollment at FSDB, she has excelled in her academic courses, athletic pursuits, and extracurricular activities.
Being at FSDB has been transformative for Veronica, who previously attended public schools in her hometown. She struggled in the classroom, especially in areas of mathematics and sciences. She also did not get involved in many activities because she felt isolated since there was only one other visually impaired student at her school.
Watch student spotlight video of Veronica Hyatt.
When she enrolled at FSDB, she fell in love with the campus. "Everybody was so welcoming and so nice and friendly," she exclaimed.
Veronica immediately started making friends, and her social circle quickly expanded. At her previous school, she would tend to sit in the back of the classroom. At FSDB, she has flourished by being involved in almost everything.
Academically, Veronica is on track to graduate early and at the top of her class. She has taken many rigorous honors classes, higher-level math courses through Florida Virtual School (FLVS), and is dually enrolled at nearby St. Johns River State College (SJRSC). She is currently a college sophomore, having taken courses in Humanities, Elementary Statistics, and Composition I and II.
Active in extracurricular pursuits, Veronica has been a member of the Goalball, Cross Country, Track and Field, Cheerleading, and Soccer teams. She also participates in SkillsUSA, where she does extemporaneous speaking, Girl Scouts, Young Life, and National Honor Society.
After graduation from FSDB, Veronica plans to study Pediatric Anesthesiology or Pediatric Oncology, with a major in either Biological Sciences or Mathematics.
Veronica credits FSDB for giving her self-confidence, courage, and advocacy skills.
When asked about what FSDB means to her, Veronica said, "Being a student at FSDB has taught me no matter my disability and the limitations I might put on myself, there's no limitation to achievement. The difference to achieving and not achieving is not my disability, but rather my attitude toward my disability and what I think I can achieve."
About FSDB
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind is a tuition-free state public school and outreach center available to eligible Pre-K and K-12 students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired, or deafblind. At FSDB, students learn how to do more, be more, and achieve more, fulfilling our vision of preparing them for a lifetime of success. FSDB gratefully accepts private donations to support vital programs that directly benefit students and are not paid by state general revenue funds. For a campus tour or to inquire about eligibility for enrollment, contact FSDB Parent Services at 904-827-2212 voice or 904-201-4527 videophone. For more information, visit www.fsdbk12.org