Our Stories


Anshu Shines!

Anshu Shines Meet Anshutha, or Anshu, as she’s fondly known by her friends. Anshu’s story is one of resilience, determination, and a smile that lights up any room. She’s a familiar face around campus, recognized not only for her warm demeanor but also for her incredible ability to make nearly […]

a family of four standing together, smiling for the camera. In the center, the father, wearing a green polo shirt and jeans, has his arms around his daughter and son. The daughter is dressed in a maroon lace dress and accessorized with jewelry, while the son wears an orange and white striped shirt with black pants. The mother, on the far right, is dressed in a red and navy blue traditional outfit with gold detailing.

A young student looks at a flower close to his classes. He is outdoors in the Early Learning Greenhouse Classroom.

Annual Report 2023

Annual Report 2023 We’re happy to share the highlights of our 2023-2024 school year with you! Inside you’ll find student stories, financial reporting, impact results, and more. We look forward to carrying on our mission through the 2024-2025 school year once again in August!


Virginia R. Jacobs

By: Virginia Jacobs Born in Thailand on March 17th, 2003, Virginia moved to the United States in 2007 at the age of five after being adopted. Music has always been a part of Virginia’s life and has been a constant source of comfort throughout, but it truly came alive for […]

Virginia looks into a mirror as she brushes her hair and smiles.

Anderson creating art project.
Anderson creating an art project during MSB summer program

Anderson Ayala-Pacheco is a popular high school student at the Maryland School for the Blind (MSB) and is loved by all who know him. He is also the center of his tight-knit family. His younger brother, Angel, looks up to him and he has a special bond with his twin brother Walter. He and Walter were born prematurely at 32 weeks. Walter was born with vision that could be corrected with glasses, but Anderson was completely blind. His parents, Walter and Yaneth, moved their family from El Salvador to the United States when the twins were 9 years old. 

Both boys attended the same public elementary school, but Anderson needed more support than his school could provide. He wasn’t learning to use technology for communication and reading, which is essential for a blind student. The more complex the lessons got, the more difficult it became for Anderson’s teachers to communicate the concepts to him. His family was able to recognize the difference in progress between their two sons and where they were academically.  

By middle school, Anderson was not keeping up in class. He fell far behind in math, and his teacher suggested he consider going to school at MSB. Anderson had been attending enrichment programs at MSB during the summers. The more his family talked with his IEP team and MSB staff, the more they began to understand what a great opportunity this was for him.

His family couldn’t imagine a way this could work because they lived so far away from MSB. When they said he would live on campus 5 days a week, his mother felt sad and thought, “how will I make it through every week without my sweet funny kid?” She felt like she was torn in two, but his excitement won her over; he wanted to be there and promised to learn everything he could. The family’s next worry was about finances. They were surprised and relieved to learn that ALL tuition, room, and board costs at MSB were covered for Anderson.

“It gives me hope that one day Anderson will join his brother Walter at Hagerstown Community College, where they can both learn and grow together. THANK YOU for making all of this possible for my family and for the more than 1,300 families that MSB serves.”

-Yaneth Pacheco, Anderson’s Mom
Sam pushed his Judo partner, Anderson, during judo practice.
Sam and Anderson practice their Judo moves.

Anderson has learned so much from the teachers and staff at MSB. He’s become more independent by using Assistive Technology for schoolwork, and he even works in the school’s Rock & Roll Café, where he’s learning to use his charm and customer service skills. He loves to make money at his job and spend it as well!

MSB staff say they can always count on Anderson to put a smile on their faces and help others when they need it. The first time he was taught how to navigate a grocery store, he was so excited to be able to help his mother on weekends. She was happy to have an extra pair of hands to help with shopping, cooking, and cleaning the dishes. They often make one of Anderson’s favorite foods together, an El Salvadorian dish called Pupusas which is made from tortillas, cheese, and various vegetables. 

Over the past 6 years, Anderson’s family has trusted MSB with his growth, development, and safety five days a week for ten months a year. They miss their son every day, but they can rest easy knowing that Anderson is learning vital skills, and watch his abilities and a positive attitude develop with each passing week.

Anderson and his brothers sit on the edge of a large fountain with water spurting behind them.