EDINBURGH — A second-grader from Edinburgh in Johnson County is the top student from her age group in a national competition for visually impaired children.
Emma Stamper won first place in the 2020 Braille Challenge Finals, Apprentice Category.
Out of more than 1,100 competitors nationally, Stamper placed as the top braille reader and writer in her age group. She also won the Excellence in Spelling Award over all age groups (ages 6-18).
This year's event was held remotely due to COVID-19. Stamper finished number one among first and second graders.
Contestants competed at five grade levels in five different categories of braille literacy, including; reading comprehension, spelling, speed and accuracy, proofreading, and tactile charts and graphs.
The top 50 students took part in the Braille Challenge Finals from the more than 1,100 students who participated in one of the more than 50 regional competitions throughout the U.S. and Canada.
The Braille Challenge is the only academic competition of its kind in North America for students who are blind or visually impaired. The goal of the event is to motivate students to hone and practice their braille literacy skills.
Braille Institute is a nonprofit providing free programs and services to people with vision loss since 1919.
