Philip Sotak participates in the Ohio Regional Braille Challenge, working his way through a proofreading test.

June 13, 2019

Students to Attend National Competition in Los Angeles

Two local students who competed at the Ohio Regional Braille Challenge in March have been chosen as finalists for the coveted Braille Institute of America Braille Challenge Finals, held in Los Angeles June 21-22, 2019.

MaKenzie Love and Philip Sotak from the Columbus area competed at Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired on March 1, where they took first and second place respectively in the sophomore category. Love also took home the Clovernook Proofreading Prize for receiving the highest proofreading score.

Fifty finalists from across the nation will move on to the national challenge at the University of Southern California representing the top scorers from all of the regional competitions.

At the national competition, contests are organized by grade level, with participants testing in five skills contests – demonstration of braille reading and comprehension, speed and accuracy, spelling, proofreading, and tactile graphics.

The Braille Institute of America Braille Challenge Finals is the only national reading and writing contest in braille for students who are blind and visually impaired. This event gives braille readers a chance to reach a personal best score and meet new friends going through similar life challenges.

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