Student Award Winner:
Samantha Johnson
International School Manila
Samantha Johnson, a grade 8 student from the International School of Manila, is the proud recipient of the Special Education Network in Asia (SENIA) Student Award. She received this award at the 11th SENIA Conference hosted at Jakarta International School from February 22 – 23, 2013.
Samantha received this award for her outstanding work in promoting awareness and advocating not only for her learning needs but the needs of other children who learn differently. She developed an outstanding video documenting her journey with learning difficulties including her successes and challenges. At the Next Frontier Conference, she spoke out to 70 international school leaders and teachers about her learning journey and how she advocates for herself. She talked about the need for students to be “brave” in advocating for their needs and for teacher to listen to their students.
Her teachers describe her as an “amazing grade 8 student who uses her disability to make her stronger.” Samantha does not show any signs of slowing down as she is currently an elected member of the Student Council at ISM as well as being chosen to represent her school at the Global Issues Network (GIN) Conference after some strenuous competition.
The SENIA Student Award honors a student with a disability who excels. It celebrates the achievements of a child or youth with disabilities; encourages awareness of the abilities and aspirations of children/youth with disabilities; and advocates on behalf of exceptional children in Asia. Samantha is the second recipient of this award. Andrea Zubiri, of Brent International School, was our first award winner.
Samantha’s advice from a Strategy Instruction teacher that she keeps close to her heart is “Shoot for the moon, and if you miss you’ll land on a star.” Keep shooting for the moon, Samantha!
Honorary Award Winners:
Grace Loedin
Brent International School, Manila
Jessica Malca
Brent International School, Manila
Adhar Sheen
Brent International School, Manila
Iana Tan
Brent International School, Manila