8th Annual Braille Literacy Celebration

For the 8th consecutive year, The Carroll Center conducted the Annual Braille Literacy Celebration on Saturday, February 9th, 2008 and by all accounts it keeps getting better each year.

Thirty-three blind children who read and write Braille and range in age from 6-18 years, were tested in Braille speed and accuracy, reading comprehension, spelling, proofreading, and interpreting charts and tactile graphics. All scores will now be pooled with scores from approximately 500 participants from around the United States and Canada. The top 12 scorers in each age group throughout North America will become eligible to attend the National Braille Challenge™ Invitational in Los Angeles, CA sponsored by the Braille Institute on Saturday June 28. The Carroll Center has regularly sponsored eligible students for the National Braille Challenge™ finals in California.

Among the activities throughout the day were some interesting and informative presentations by Sandi Baker showing products from APH, real life experiences by Carroll Center alum Joe Quintanilla and the unique travel experiences of Carroll Center students, Josh Person and Jameyanne Fuller, treking the Andes mountains with Erik Weihenmayer.

The results of the Braille Challenge™ qualifying event are:

Apprentice: Grades 1-2
1st – Jack McPadden
2nd – Emma Tubberville
3rd – Amanda McKenzie

Freshmen: Grades 3-4
1st – Precious Perez
2nd – Jamie LeDuc
3rd – Jonah LeDuc

Sophomore: grades 5-6
1st – Daisy Ruissell
2nd – Madison Higginbottom
3rd – Zhenya Pankova

Junior Varsity: Grades 7-8-9
1st – Marisa parker
2nd – Minh Tam ha
3rd – Morgayne Mulkern

Varsity: Grades 10-11-12
1st – Jameyane Fuller
2nd – Albano Berberi
3rd – Josh Pearson

The Carroll Center for the Blind is grateful to the following sponsors for their ongoing support of our Educational Services and Braille Literacy Programs!
2Modern
Alison Roberts
American Council of the Blind, Bay State Chapter
American Printing House for the Blind
AMESVI
At First Sight
Bakers’ Best
The Bernard Family
Braille and Talking Book Library
Cabot’s Ice Cream
Coca-Cola Bottling Co.
Freedom Scientific
Humanware
Independent Living Aids
National Braille Press
New England Aquarium
Perkins Products
Randolph Lions Club
Seedlings
Sightline for the Blind
Sunny Delight Beverages
Water Country
Wesley Beattie
WGBH Descriptive Video Service
and TO OUR STUDENTS, FAMILIES, VOLUNTEERS, DONORS and STAFF!