Drive to Thrive Award
Sponsored by the Jack and Thelma Segal Fund
For Students in Grades 5—12

The Drive to Thrive award recognizes those students with learning or attention weaknesses who show exceptional effort, persistence, goal-orientation, and resilience, characteristics that are more important predictors of life success than skill level or intelligence. This award was established to honor the memory of the late Dr. Jack Segal, an outstanding physician, diagnostician and global thinker who epitomized the drive to thrive with his energy, passion, creativity, humor, persistence and resilience.

Drive to Thrive Award Winner CORINNE ADAMS
Corinne Adams is a junior at Acton-Boxborough High School who has attended ILD for math strategy instruction for the past five years. Corinne epitomizes the “drive to thrive” mindset. Math in the classroom is not generally taught in a way that matches Corinne’s learning style so, early on, Corinne developed the ability to explain her learning style and to advocate for the help she needed. She has met every new challenge, academic and otherwise, with a sense of purpose, a redefinition of goals when necessary, hard work and resolve. Corinne has even kept up with school while experiencing serious physical challenges. Corinne takes her “drive to thrive” way beyond the classroom in her leadership of Amnesty International, her horseback riding proficiency, and her participation in the World Challenge Program.
Congratulations Corinne, on receiving the first Drive to Thrive award!

Drive to Thrive Award Winner CHASE NOLEN
Chace Nolen is a 15-year-old ninth grader at the Cambridge School of Weston. He is an incredibly creative thinker and problem solver. He applies these novel ways of thinking to his class work with brilliant results. Chace is an avid reader who enjoys learning about science. He expresses and shares his creative talents through art and theatre. Although Chace has faced challenges over the years with attention and organization, he has worked diligently in school to become an exceptional student. Through superior dedication and persistence, Chace has been able to work through his challenges and let his creativity, intelligence and sense of humor shine brightly for all to see.
Congratulations Chace, on receiving the first Drive to Thrive award!

Pathways to Success Award

The Pathways to Success award recognizes those students whose accomplishments and successes have resulted from their determination and remarkable motivation to overcome obstacles in their path and to achieve their personal best by navigating the complex pathway to academic and life success. Students who receive this award need to have maximized the educational supports available to fulfill their potential and reach their goals.

Pathways to Success Award Winner ANDREW BLAIR
Andrew Blair recently graduated from Lesley University summa cum laude with a Master’s Degree in Education. He now has a wonderful teaching position as a middle school teacher at the Compass School in Jamaica Plain, MA which serves at-risk urban youths. His determination, motivation, knowledge and use of learning strategies is outstanding! His creativity and sensitivity to those children who struggle as he once did have helped Andrew carve out a successful Pathway to Success.

At a young age, school was never easy for Andrew due to his learning and attention differences. Academic success in those early years was elusive and affected his self-esteem. After experiencing difficulties with early attempts at a college education, he came to ILD for help. Although his first attempt to work with ILD did not go as planned, the staff at ILD always kept the door open and encouraged him to return when he was ready. Andrew made a decision to return to ILD and embraced their services wholeheartedly. He persisted despite several obstacles and he demonstrated a strong determination to succeed. Then he made a major decision to attend graduate school in pursuit of his dream to become a teacher. Andrew attended one-to–one educational therapy sessions with Susan Taber, M.Ed, his educational specialist. He worked very hard, applied what he learned, and kept his focus to learn and to do his best. He notes that the strategies he learned have not only helped him with his own studies, but have helped him be the best teacher he can be!

Congratulations, Andrew, on becoming the first recipient of the ResearchILD Pathways to Success Award!