Two Newton County School System students recently brought home awards from the Georgia Regional Braille Challenge held at the Macon School for the Blind. Lucas Montalvo, a third-grade student at South Salem Elementary School, won third place at the Challenge and Ja’von Harris, a sixth-grade student at Liberty Middle School, won second place.

The Braille Challenge is the only academic competition of its kind in North America for students who are blind or visually impaired. Braille Institute developed the Braille Challenge to motivate students to practice and hone their braille literacy skills, which are essential to academic and employment success.

Any blind or visually impaired student in grades one through 12 who can read and write braille is eligible to participate in the Braille Challenge. Contestants are divided into five categories and tested on fundamental braille skills such as reading comprehension, spelling, speed and accuracy, proofreading and charts and graphs. 

“Congratulations to both Lucas and Ja’von,” NCSS Superintendent Samantha Fuhrey said. “They both did a fantastic job at the Braille Challenge and we are very proud of them.”