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Blind Long Island H.S. Senior Among Intel Finalists

GREAT NECK, NY (WCBS 880) - She has brains, beauty, and a sense of humor - and 17-year-old Michelle Hackman has never let being blind keep her from her goals. Like some other folks who face the disability, she's determined not to let it slow her down.

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WCBS 880's Sophia Hall with Michelle Hackman

Born with coloboma - a hole in a key part of the eye - this Great Neck North High School senior lost her sight at the age of 8.

That hasn't kept her from seeing the bigger picture. Michelle's research about how teenagers act when their cell phones are taken away garnered her a spot as one of only 40 Intel finalists across the country.

Michelle is very modest about the honor - especially since she's living with a condition 8 out 10 people deeply fear.

"Because I was honestly doing this research just with the intention of finding something cool, and the fact that it's really impacted science on a national level, is incredible to me," Michelle told WCBS 880 Long Island reporter Sophia Hall.

Michelle has been accepted into Yale and plans a dual major of psychology and political science. One day, she says she may want to be a journalist.

Are you impressed by Michelle's achievement? Sound off in the comments section.

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