Hot Springs youths winners in Braille Challenge
LITTLE ROCK — Hot Springs youths were among the winners in the 13th Annual Arkansas Regional Braille Challenge, according to a news release from the Arkansas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
More than 25 blind and visually impaired students from across the state met on the campus of the Arkansas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, located at 2600 W. Markham in Little Rock, on Feb. 16 to test their Braille and literacy skills “in an academic competition unlike any other,” the release said.
During the Arkansas Regional Braille Challenge, the students tested their Braille skills in five categories: reading comprehension, Braille spelling, chart and graph reading, proofreading and Braille speed and accuracy.
The 2023 Arkansas Braille Challenge winners included the following:
• Apprentice — first place, Richy Esparza, Little Rock; second place, Gavin Webb, Mayflower; third place, Griffin Smith, Maumelle.
• Freshman — first place, Waydelee Womack, Brookland; second place, Khloe Stracener, North Little Rock; third place, Elgin Williams, North Little Rock.
• Rookie — first place, Louise Blaylock, Little Rock; second place, Nolan Cole, Sherwood; third place, Christina Eason, Arkadelphia.
• Sophomore — first place, Addisyn Lemon, Pineville; second place, Aizirek Saipidinova, Alexander; third place, Sandy Mews, Hensley.
• Junior Varsity — first place, Bryson Selby, Portland; second place, Ajan Howard, Little Rock; third place, London Ledbetter, Hot Springs.
• Varsity — first place, Diya Chakraborty, Little Rock; second place, Lucas Harris, Hot Springs; third place, Sadie Huff, Benton.
The Braille Challenge is sponsored by the Braille Institute. “The Braille Challenge is the only national reading and writing contest in Braille for students who are blind and visually impaired. Regionals are open to students of all abilities, giving even emerging Braille readers a chance to reach a personal best score. The Arkansas Regional is the first step to the coveted national finals Braille Challenge competition held at the Los Angeles headquarters of the Braille Institute,” the release said.
At the finals, 50 students with the highest scores from around North America embark on another daylong competition to test their Braille skills alongside their peers. Immediately following the competition, winners from each age group are announced at an awards ceremony “unparalleled with excitement, pride and celebration.”
“When discussing literacy, it is important to include Braille literacy in the conversation. Advances in technology have not replaced the need for blind children to learn to read using this vital medium,” the release said.
“Braille is a crucial tool for many blind and visually impaired students as it opens the doors of literacy and drives education advancement and future employment opportunities. With more than 1,000 students expected to participate in the Braille Challenge this year alone, we continue to be more inspired each year by the passion and commitment of each contestant,” Peter Mindnich, president of the Braille Institute, said in the release.
The Arkansas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired offers statewide quality educational programs and resources to students who are blind or visually impaired, birth through 21, “enabling them to become productive, self-sufficient citizens through the involvement of all students, staff, parents and the community,” the release said.
“Braille Institute of America is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate barriers to a fulfilling life caused by blindness and severe sight loss. It serves tens of thousands of people of all ages each year through an array of integrated educational, social and recreational programs and services designed to help people with vision loss lead enriched and fulfilling lives. Funded entirely by private donations, all services are completely free-of-charge,” it said.