Lydia Pinto '19: Championing Accessibility and Advocacy

From the very first moment you meet Lydia Pinto, it’s clear that she’s a force of nature. A ball of energy with a poised presence and a warm smile, Lydia’s approachability is one of her most striking qualities—essential in the field she’s dedicated her life to. Since graduating from East Carolina University (ECU) in 2023, Lydia has continued to pour her energy into a cause that’s deeply personal: advocating for individuals with disabilities. 

A "lifer" at Cannon School, Lydia attended Cannon all 14 years, from Junior Kindergarten through 12th grade. It was there that she was diagnosed with learning disabilities consisting of (Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, ADHD, Auditory Processing Disorder and Test Anxiety) in third grade, a pivotal moment that changed the course of her academic journey. Before that diagnosis, Lydia was struggling, unsure of why school was such a challenge. She credits her reading specialist, Barbara Falkenbury, with "saving my life" by providing her with the necessary support. Once in late middle school through her time in upper school, Tere Hurtado played a crucial role in preparing her for success beyond the walls of Cannon.  

With this newfound understanding, Lydia embraced the resources available at Cannon and began thriving academically. But she didn’t stop there. She felt compelled to give back by playing an instrumental role in establishing the Neurodiversity Alliance’s Eye to Eye mentorship program at Cannon, an award-winning national initiative that pairs high school/college students with learning differences with middle school students facing similar challenges. 

Lydia's passion for mentorship didn’t end at Cannon. As a student at ECU, she went on to establish an ND Alliance Mentoring Chapter of Eye to Eye at the university, continuing to advocate for students with learning differences. Her work in this space deepened as she pursued a Bachelor's degree in Recreational Therapy, with a minor in Psychology and a certificate in Entrepreneurship. Now, Lydia is working toward her Master’s in Recreation Sciences, concentrating on Recreational Therapy, a field that allows her to blend her personal experiences with her professional goals. 

Lydia’s advocacy extends far beyond mentorship. In her graduate studies, Lydia is focused on a project that examines how disability symbols shape public attitudes toward disabilities. Her graduate project, The Accessible Icon Pirate Challenge, explores the new accessible icon—designed to show a person with a disability as active and capable, not stationary or passive. Lydia played a key role in introducing this symbol to ECU in 2022 and continues to advocate for the icon’s widespread use. 

Her advocacy and leadership were on full display when she returned to Cannon School for the annual House Day of Service. As a former member of House Integritas, Lydia led Upper School student volunteers in updating the accessible parking spots on campus, painting them with the new accessible icon. This initiative is part of a broader movement to change how society views and represents people with disabilities. As Lydia explains, “When you have to constantly advocate for yourself, it makes you want to advocate for others too.” 

Lydia’s journey from Cannon School to ECU is a reminder that success is not solely defined by academic achievement—it is about perseverance, leadership, and empowering others to find their voice.