Eden Rapp – Shepherds College (Our Future Is Bright: The Audrey and Jeremy Scholarship Award)

Eden is a two-time Ruby’s Rainbow Scholarship recipient and this year’s recipient of the Ruby’s Rainbow Our Future Is Bright: The Audrey and Jeremy Scholarship Award. She is a sophomore at Shepherds College, where she is majoring in culinary arts after having worked at a pizza restaurant for two years. She also has a passion for writing, and faithfully blogs her adventures at school and work. She has even written a musical with a pandemic setting.

Eden is an accomplished pianist who also takes guitar lessons. For her, music is a bridge to connect with others as well as an effective tool to help focus and center herself. In addition, she serves on the board of Disability Voices United and is a member of numerous groups, such as an ASL chat, Sistahs (a fellowship she helped start), Toastmasters International (through which she hones her public speaking skills), and various clubs on campus. In her home community, she regularly volunteers at church and at the local fair-trade store.

As an active self-advocate, Eden has lobbied in Washington, D.C. and in Sacramento for disability rights, and has led multiple workshops at National Down Syndrome conventions. She has also spoken at several Buddy Walks and self-determination conferences. In 2016, she co-founded another self-advocacy group called UpVoice, which is a book club designed to build better readers and self-advocates in a fun way.

Of her college experience so far, Eden says, “I have not only grown spiritually, independently and in job skills, I have also grown more socially.” She loves having friends that challenge her and want the best for her. She also has this advice for other young adults who are interested in personal growth: “Start thinking about how to see things from other people’s perspectives, so you can be more sensitive, patient and encouraging.”

We see all of those incredible qualities in you, Eden! You rock!