Naperville North Student Receives National Youth Achievement Award

Naperville, IL – Rory Andrlik, a junior at Naperville North High School, has been honored as the prestigious 2024 Special Recognition Winner of the Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities Fred J. Epstein Youth Achievement Award. This esteemed accolade, named after the renowned pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Fred J. Epstein, celebrates young individuals with learning disabilities or ADHD who have demonstrated remarkable achievements.

Dr. Epstein attributed his own significant learning disabilities as crucial to his success. Rory’s exceptional efforts and accomplishments exemplify the spirit and resilience celebrated by this award.

Recently, Rory traveled to Connecticut to attend the award's annual gala, where she delivered an acceptance speech before an audience of over 100 parents and educators. Furthering her role as an advocate and mentor, Rory also shared her experiences and insights with eighth-grade students at The Southport School. This school specializes in supporting children from grades 2 through 8 with language-based learning differences, such as dyslexia.

In 2023, Rory authored "The Reading Roar: A Magical Learning Journey," a children's book aimed at empowering young readers with dyslexia. Drawing on over a decade of dual-language studies, she also created a Spanish edition of the book, enhancing its accessibility and impact. "The Reading Roar" has earned strong praise, ranking among Amazon’s Top 50 children’s books on disabilities, and reaching audiences across three continents.