Local student wins regional braille competition

Kaitlyn Deverson, a fifth grade student at Oak Hammock K8 School, came in first in her category at the Braille Challenge, a national program of the Braille Institute® hosted by regional schools and agencies that serve blind and visually impaired children. It is the only national braille literacy competition of its kind in the country, and is specifically designed to challenge and reward blind students for their study of braille, which is essential to their future academic and employment success. There were four regional events throughout Florida; Kaitlyn competed recently in the Ft. Lauderdale event which includes five age levels who compete in catagories such as reading comprehension, speed and accuracy, proofreading and tactile chart and graph reading. Competition spans the US and Canada, from which the top 60 will advance to the national contest in Los Angeles, California. Pictured is Kaitlyn with her Teacher for the Visually Impaired, Marci Marcotte.