Today we’d like to introduce you to Carrington Manous.
Hi Carrington, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am Carrington Elan Manous, Miss Greater Atlanta’s Outstanding Teen 2023. Seven years ago, I was diagnosed with dyslexia, specifically 2E/Twice Exceptional, which is when one is both dyslexic and intellectually gifted. When I was diagnosed it brought confusion and, honestly, a little shame. I had to reshape how I felt about myself and redefine how I would choose to lead my life as a person with a “learning difference.” With the help of my family, teachers and instructors, I discovered I could process language; it would just be in a different way and on my own terms. We have all struggled at some point; through my struggle, I gained a passion and I chose to champion for individuals like myself. My goal is to create spaces for people that foster inclusion, confidence and tools to manage and master the challenges of learning and achieving with dyslexia. My purpose is to raise awareness of this disorder — today, that impact is through small acts of service. Tomorrow, I hope that work expands through my career ambition as an attorney. Carrington Cares #DecodeDyslexia is about negating misconceptions and rethinking how we see people with dyslexia and their capabilities to succeed.
Some of my accomplishments are:
H O N O R S:
*Woodward Academy Silver Honors Students
*Harvard Debate Camp Attendee and Debate Speaker Winner
*Ambassador Leaders at UCLA
*5th Grade Class President |The Schenck School
*Single-handedly changed a school-wide policy
S E R V I C E
*Started a non-profit organization for dyslexia awareness and support, Carrington Cares #DecodeDyslexia and Raised $9,800
*Helped organize Statewide initiative for dyslexia awareness, Dyslexia Dash a race/walk fundraiser for dyslexia awareness and helped to raise $30,000
*Volunteer Reader – Read books at local daycares to encourage literacy
*Carrington Cares – Created and distributed dyslexia tips and tools to local schools for students who struggle with reading and memorizing
*Writing a Bill, The Carrington Cares Act, to bring awareness for dyslexia, offer free screening for students and aid for those students and the educators that teach them
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
My journey has not been smooth as I had to reshape how I would navigate my educational direction. In 3rd grade I went to the Schenck School which is a school that specializes and works specifically with students who have been diagnosed with dyslexia. That school changed my life forever. They taught me techniques I still used today. And more importantly, they restored my confidence and taught me Dyslexia DOES NOT DEFINE ME; I DEFINE DYSLEXIA! However, there is an extreme amount of hard work, dedication and more importantly, determination I must put in, but as my mom says, life is not easy and anything worth having is worth working hard for! And I truly believe if I had not been diagnosed with Dyslexia/Twice Exceptional, I would not have accomplished everything I have so far. I would not have this platform to speak about the very thing I once tried to hide which is now the very thing that PUSHES ME TO THRIVE, Dyslexia!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am Carrington Elan Manous. I am a 9th grade Honors Student at Woodward Academy and the recently crowned Miss Greater Atlanta’s Outstanding Teen 2023 which is a part of the Miss America Organization. I will be competing for Miss Georgia’s Outstanding Teen in June 2023.
What’s next?
I am looking forward to continuing my work as a Dyslexia Advocate. My goal is to bring awareness to the larger population and dispel myths associated with it. Also, I am currently working with elected officials, school administrators, superintendents and representatives with the International Dyslexia Association to create a bill which will support and offer funds to students with dyslexia and the educators that teach them.
Contact Info:
- Website: decodedyslexia.com
- Instagram: MissGreaterAtlantasOT2023
- Facebook: Carrington Manous
