19-year-old Hannah tops CBSE 12th board exams in disabled category with 496/500 marks

Hannah, a 19-year-old student from the disabled category, bagged the top position with 496/500 marks and has now been awarded a full scholarship to study psychology for undergraduates in the US.

Hannah Alice Simon, the 19-year-old Kochi native, topped the CBSE 12th board exams in the disabled category, with 496 out of 500 marks.

Hannah, a student at Rajagiri Christu Jayanti Public School, has microphthalmia, a condition resulting in blindness for her. She is also a singer, composer, YouTuber and motivational speaker.

She has now been awarded a full scholarship to study psychology for undergraduate in the US.

In an interview with IndiaToday, she shared her journey, challenges, and her future goals.

"It's a miracle that I am always grateful for. I never expected to score 496 out of 500. My parents taught me it's not easy and there will be challenges. It was hard in the beginning, but I always believed in God and his plans for me", says Hannah.

Hannah has shown immense strength to be where she is after being in a regular school. She was bullied in school during her younger days.

"My parents thought I should not be treated differently, so they did not take me to a blind school. Instead, they took admission for me to a regular school. It was the best decision. If I was in a blind school, I would not have felt the challenge", says Hannah.