Current location:
2011 Iowa Braille Challenge
Sixteen students from across Iowa came to Des Moines Feb. 12 to test their Braille skills and hope for a spot in the National Braille Challenge this summer in Los Angeles.
The annual Challenge, a regional contest sponsored by the Iowa Department for the Blind and the Iowa Braille School, proved to be a lively and informative day where kids could feel good about Braille literacy and be among peers, and their parents could gather information on educational resources and technology.
The Challenge began at 10 a.m. at Callanan Middle School with a pep rally and a message from IDB Director Karen Keninger,, applauding students’ efforts and ability to proficiently utilize Braille. Teachers from the Iowa Braille School incorporated the event’s Hawaiian theme into the ceremony. Three teachers performed an original song, entitled “Tiny Dots” and then individually acknowledged each participant.
After the pep rally, students were separated into four groups based on their grade level: apprentice group (grades 1-2), freshman group (grades 3-4), sophomore group (grades 5-6), and junior varsity group (grades 7-9). Each of the groups were put into separate rooms and over the course of three hours and 15 minutes, students were tested on: Braille speed and accuracy, reading speed and comprehension, Braille spelling, proofreading and chart and graph reading. 
After a long day of testing the winners in each age group were announced. First place prizes went to: apprentice participant Sillet Yae, freshman participant Sawyer Deevers, sophomore participant Lauren Thomson and junior-varsity participant Annabelle Costanzo. See a full list of winners.
According to Taylor James, 11, one of the best parts of the Challenge was “getting to see everybody” and meet new contestants and their families. The participants were also already looking forward to next year’s Challenge.
“Oh yeah, I’ll be back next year…this is such a great event to be apart of,” said Tyler Juranek, 14, from Council Bluffs.
Update:
Congratulations to those who are advancing to the 2011 finals in Los Angeles:
- Lauren Thomson: Sophomore Group (grades 5 &6)
- Mason Armstrong: Sophomore Group (grades 5 &6)
- Annabelle Costanzo: JV Group (grades 7,8, and 9)
See photos from the Iowa Braille Challenge 2011.
