On February 21, 2019, a group of FSDB students from the Blind Department boarded buses headed to the Jacksonville Public Library for an annual competition known as the Braille Challenge. This year’s theme, “Braille Fit,” was publicized as the first-ever Braille-a-thon.
Competitors and staff wore sporty t-shirts with fitness pants in keeping with the theme. According to organizer April Wallace, “Sue Glaser from FIMC chose the theme to incorporate life-long skills such as good sportsmanship, health, and fitness. One of the parent workshops even included a Paralympian guest speaker who had won a medal in Rio!”
Attendees received a nutritious breakfast and lunch, as well as morning and afternoon refreshments. Students filed into library rooms designated for their particular competition level—rookie, apprentice, freshman, sophomore, junior varsity, or varsity. Braille devices were set up on tables in each of the rooms for students to type their competition passages. Proctors administered test passages, which were later scored by the judges in a separate room within the library. Officiating FSDB scorers this year included Leah Belger, Nancy Berger, Teresa Buffolino, Marcella Cavallaro, and Kathy Michaelson.
At the “starting gate,” vendors with merchandise and staff with games to promote personal fitness and health awareness, awaited competitors. Students, especially the young ones, were entranced by a large anatomy exhibit featuring the organs of the body with brief summaries in English along with braille transcriptions. There was a magnetic body labeling game, and a kinesthetic animal prints exhibit. Students wandered through the exhibits before and after breakfast. Then came the opening ceremony, which doubled as a pep rally. After the morning competition, students had lunch and participated in a Braille Book Exchange. They went through four sessions of testing in all, while their parents/guardians attended Parent Workshops on healthy lifestyles, assistive technology, and fitness.
After the testing was complete, an “after-challenge party” ensued in one of the testing rooms. Sue Glaser blew up an enormous basketball and released it for the kids to chase and bounce into the air; more sedate board games were set up at the tables for less energetic competitors. A drum circle and awards ceremony capped off a vibrant and vigorous day of activities.
Student winners received various prizes including talking watches and gift cards. Kudos to first-time organizer April Wallace for a successful event in which FSDB students excelled!
Rookie
1st place – Brooke Witherington
2nd place – Kaylee Peterson
3rd place – Camren Lee
4th place – Malcolm Rosebud
Apprentice
1st place – Nathaniel Figueroa
2nd place – Arabella Hooten
3rd place – Demitri Kostakis
4th place – Dino Jeudy
Freshman
1st place – Danika Stanchi
2nd place – Tie between students from other districts
3rd place – Jasen McDaniel
4th place – Briyonnah Fisher
Sophomore
1st place – Alden Porter
2nd place – Student from another district
3rd place – Khayree Lofton
4th place – Kameron Denley
Junior Varsity
1st place – Savannah Lindberg
2nd place – Brianna Raisor
3rd place – Taylore Sherman
4th place – Elijah Mehrkens
Varsity
1st place – Meliza Lorenzo
2nd place – Richard Beardsley
3rd place – Jonathan Wilcox
4th place – Z’Leah Liburd
Congratulations!
By Christi Boortz, Instructional Services
About FSDB
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind is a tuition-free state public school and outreach center available to eligible Pre-K and K-12 students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired, or deafblind. At FSDB, students learn how to do more, be more, and achieve more, fulfilling our vision of preparing them for a lifetime of success. FSDB gratefully accepts private donations to support vital programs that directly benefit students and are not paid by state general revenue funds. For a campus tour or to inquire about eligibility for enrollment, contact FSDB Parent Services at 904-827-2212 voice or 904-201-4527 videophone. For more information, visit www.fsdbk12.org