Rockin' the Braille Challenge
Lindsay with her 2nd place trophy
We are fond of and believe in the phrase "Braille Rocks!" The Braille Challenge, a program of Los Angeles, California's Braille Institute, embodies this belief as students gather for fun, camaraderie, and the exhilaration of competition. You may visit the Braille Challenge main page at http://www.brailleinstitute.org/braille-challenge-homepage.html.
Three north Louisiana students, Passion, Jordan, and Lindsay, attended the February 17 regional Challenge held on the campus of the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired in Baton Rouge. Each of them reported having a blast! We are pleased to inform you that Lindsay took second place in the Junior Varsity division--grades 7-9. Of Braille, Lindsay said "Braille allows me to read great books." She is absolutely correct, and we are extremely proud of her tremendous effort and strong showing.
Jordan scribbling with a slate-n-stylus at dinner before the big challenge!
Jordan was the first place winner in the Apprentice division dedicated to first and second graders. He enthusiastically commented that, because of Braille, he does not need to rely on others to read to him and that the words have a life of their own under his fingers. Lindsay and Jordan demonstrate that Braille liberates the reader--enabling him or her to journey to thrilling worlds of discovery, adventure, and knowledge!
Passion checking out R2D2 at Braille Challenge
As was true for all three students, the Braille Challenge allowed Passion to use cane skills and other techniques of blindness to explore new environments and meet friends and mentors while reveling in the feeling of confidence that comes as a student tries new things and realizes the self-satisfaction that one can only achieve with accomplishment.
We are grateful to Krystal Guillory, Kristen Sims, and Martin Pardue for accompanying the students and for working tirelessly to promote true and lasting Braille literacy in their districts. So, yes indeed, Braille Rocks in 2016!
Picture shows a split screen. On the left: Lindsay leads Passion in find the girls' hotel room. On the right: Jordan uses his O&M skills to locate the elevator.