(April 9, 2009) Phoebe Coleman mentions that she has dyslexia like it’s no big thing. For her, it isn’t. Coleman, who is graduating next month from the College of Arts and Media’s 3D animation program, was recently chosen by the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation as one of two student 9News Leaders of the Year.

“With my dyslexia, animation has been a great choice,” she explains. “I can succeed in other areas. Biology or architecture would have been very concrete and difficult for me with my dyslexia. However, with animation, I can use my natural strengths and still be able to make an impact in the medical and science fields.”

Coleman was honored at a 9News luncheon last week for her high academic standards and her involvement with the university and community.

She has been active in the Chancellor’s Scholars & Leaders program and has served for two years as an El Pomar Scholar through the El Pomar Foundation, which encourages and promotes the current and future well being of the people of Colorado through community stewardship, based in Colorado Springs.

The Leadership Foundation, in partnership with the Boettcher Foundation, chose Nicholas Breitnauer of the University of Colorado at Boulder as its other student leader and James Mejia, chief executive of the Denver Preschool Program, as its 9News Leader of the Year.