Media release
Piper Conner, of Perkins, was honored Tuesday as the 2024 Oklahoma School for the Blind Student of the Year during the 31st annual People with Disabilities Awareness Day in Oklahoma City.
The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services hosted the event that was held at the Oklahoma History Center and brought together hundreds of people with disabilities, their families and their supporters.
Conner, who is a sophomore at OSB, has retinopathy of prematurity. It is a visual impairment that leaves her with center vision but no peripheral vision.
Despite that challenge, Conner is confident when discussing her future. Her goals after graduation are to gain a career in either the aerospace or medical field.
Conner attended public school through the sixth grade but struggled to get work assignments done on time. She and her family learned about the opportunities available at OSB and decided to enroll her.
The school’s wealth of resources and its encouraging staff helped Piper build a strong social and academic foundation.
At OSB, she is part of the jazz band and the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. She is the student body president and competes in goalball and track.
Conner was one of 12 individuals and groups honored at the event.
Other award winners included:
- Vocational Rehabilitation Client of the Year – Mason Hightower
- Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired Client of the Year – David Joy
- Oklahoma School for the Deaf Student of the Year – Alex Layton
- Workforce Partner of the Year – Shelly Rentz from Central Technology Center
- Workforce Partner of the Year – Michelle Murray from Kiamichi Technology Center
- Agency Partner of the Year – OMES Risk Management
- Agency Partner of the Year – OMES Construction and Properties
- Community Involvement – Oklahoma School for the Deaf staff
- Excellence in Communications – Channel 6 KOTV
- Business of the Year Award – TTEC
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Jody Harlan
“This year’s People with Disabilities Awareness Day was a celebration of Oklahomans building strong foundations for their own lives, and the groups and people who have helped that journey along,” DRS Executive Director Melinda Freundt said. “Their efforts make it possible for Oklahoma’s future to grow brighter every day.”
Follow the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services on social media including @OKDRS on Twitter and Facebook and @okdrs on Instagram.
Last year, DRS served 85,947 individuals with disabilities with career preparation, employment, residential and outreach education, independent living programs and the determination of medical eligibility for disability benefits. The agency helps job seekers with disabilities face barriers to employment, such as inaccessible worksites, lack of transportation or the need for specialized equipment or training. For more information, visit http://www.okdrs.gov or phone 800-845-8476.
