Two members of the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) have entered this year’s competition for the prestigious Holman Prize, a recognition of the Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco, California.

Author, scholar, and pastoral psychologist Paschal Baute (Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Group) and outdoor adventurer Lonnie Bedwell (Indiana Regional Group) are both current contestants to become semifinalists for the award.

The application package submitted by Paschal and Lonnie included a form, a written outline of a project, and a 90-second video pitching the project idea. The finished project should demonstrate how the blind person has not only pushed boundaries and lived outside “the blind box” but how the box has been eliminated all together.

The contestant whose video has the most “likes” will become the People’s Choice Semifinalist. Scroll down the list of entry videos on YouTube (CLICK HERE) to locate Paschal’s video, which is 28th on the playlist. Lonnie’s video is 55th on the list.

The Holman Prize is presented to three honorees annually. It is named after James Holman, a prolific blind world traveler of the 19th century who accomplished what was then considered an impossible dream. The award is designed to support the growth of adventurous spirits, entrepreneurship, and leadership within the blind community in any form it may present itself.