Another Step Toward Equality

Another Step Toward Equality

Future Reflections Special Issue1989, Vol. 8 No. 4
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ANOTHER STEP TOWARD
EQUALITY
A Report On The 1988-89
National Federation of the Blind
"BRAILLE READERS ARE LEADERS"
Contest
by Nadine Jacobson
[PICTURE] Noel Romey of Arizona had placed third in his catagory
in the 1987-88 contest. But he wasn't satisfied with third;
he was determined to win first place in 1988-89-and he
did! Noel (right) attended the 1989 NFB convention with
his mother Jacalyn and his sister Kelsea.

[PICTURE] Winner James Konechne delighted everyone at the
Parents of Blind Children Division Annual Meeting with
his reading of the poem, "Hands." He is shown here with
his parents, Mike and Estelle Konechne.
"I am a part of all that I have met." Those
words, attributed to William Wordsworth, came
to mind as I reflected upon the results of this
year's "Braille Readers are Leaders" National
Children's Braille Reading Contest. All of the
students who entered the contest learned about
new aspects of the world that became part of
them. The younger children read about people,
families, animals, machinery and how it works,
and the list goes on and on. The older children read a variety of fiction and nonfiction which is
difficult to describe. The variety of material
reflects all of the differing individual preferences
of each student. Some read fairy tales and science
fiction and learned about imaginary worlds.
Others read about computer technology and its
effects on our world. Some read about the wide
range of jobs and careers that adults choose, and
dreamed about their possible future.
This is what the "Braille Readers are Leaders"
contest is all about. Each book that is read changes
in some small way the student who reads it.
As students are enriched by these books, their
dreams of the future are always expanding.
Letters came in from all over the country
about the contest. Parents and teachers
throughout the United States told story after
story about the students with whom they worked.
One teacher wrote about how at the beginning of
the contest, the girl she was teaching was at first
not too excited about the idea of being in this
contest. The girl didn't like reading very much
because she thought it was too hard. But as she
began to read, and added new pages to her list
every week, she began to enjoy not only the accomplishment
of reaching her goals, but also
began to actually enjoy what she was reading.
This teacher said that by the end of the contest
this child's whole concept of reading and learning
had improved, as well as her belief in herself and
what she could accomplish.
This story is not unique. Many letters with
similar scenarios came in. One letter was from a
father who rose at 5 a.m. to listen to his son read
aloud. He said that even when he did not fully
comprehend all that he heard at that hour of the
morning, he listened. The father also said that he
and his son became closer as a result of those
early morning reading sessions.
These stories are heartwarming and show
what we as blind adults have known. Braille is not
only a viable reading method, but for many
people it is one of the tools which contributes to
lifelong success. Literacy for sighted children is
being addressed as one of the nation's top
priorities. This is because the ability to read and
think clearly is essential to success. This is true
not only for sighted children and youth, but also
for those who are blind. There is a significant
difference between listening to a tape or watching
television and actually reading a book. Students
who entered the contest learned about this
difference.
Those of us in the Parents of Blind Children
Division of the National Federation of the Blind
and the National Association to Promote the Use
of Braille would like to express our sincere appreciation
to all of the parents, teachers, and
librarians out there who encourage students to
achieve all that they can, not only in this contest,
but in life in general. There are more and more
teachers and parents of blind children who
believe in the importance of basic Braille reading.
There are also more people believing that
blind children and youth can be successful and
that their education really makes a difference.
Also, to the students who entered the contest
we say, all readers are winners. You are important to us, and we care about you and all that you
accomplish. And if you didn't place in the top
three (or even if you did) of your category last
year, try again this year!
It was particularly exciting to have three of the
winners of the 1988-89 contest at this year's National
Convention of the National Federation of
the Blind in Denver, Colorado. James Konechne,
Noel Romey, and Kim Wright attended the convention
along with their families. The future of
blind people looks bright with such fine representatives
of the younger generation coming onto
the scene.
Following is a list of this year's winners. You
will notice that we have two first-place winners in
the Kindergarten through first grade category. It
would be tempting to blame it on a computer
error, but it was a human misunderstanding
regarding the grade-level, and therefore the contest
category, of a student. Since the error was
discovered after awards were made, we decided
the only fair thing to do was recognize both students.
We salute all our contestants, and give special
congratulations to the top winners in each
category. You have made one more step toward
equality.
Kindergarten and First Grade
First Place: James Konechne, grade 1;

Platte, South Dakota; 2,358 pages.
First Place: Jennifer Espinoza, grade 1; Albuquerque,

New Mexico; 1,910 pages.
Second Place: Kristen Witucki, grade 1;

Pine Hill, New Jersey; 1,517 pages.
Third Place: Seth Leblond, grade 1;

Portland, Maine; 1,356 pages.
Second through Fourth Grade
First Place: Noel Romey, grade 3; Phoenix,

Arizona; 5,556 pages.
Second Place: Melissa Crockett, grade 4;

LAFB, Virginia; 4,712 pages.
Third Place: Jaime Zadzilka, grade 2;
Parma
Heights, Ohio; 4,153 pages.
Fifth through Eighth Grade
First Place: Jennifer Baker, grade 5;
Rockville,
Maryland; 7,176 pages.
Second Place: Casey Cannon, grade 5;
Ellington,
New York; 4,870 pages.
Third Place: Kira Larkin, grade 6;
Schenectady,
New York; 3,844 pages.
Ninth through Twelfth Grade
First Place: Nancy Williams, grade 11;

Fredonia, Kentucky; 4,763 pages.
Second Place: Michelle Hyliard, grade 11;

Concord, Michigan; 4,682 pages.
Third Place: Kristie Szedlak, grade 12;

Laingsburg, Michigan; 1,822 pages.
Print to Braille
First Place: Lisamaria Martinez, grade 2;

Oceanside, California; 2,081 pages.
Second Place: Kim Wright, grade 12;

Bastrop, Louisiana; 1,010 pages.
Third Place: Denise Waits, grade 7;
Columbus,
Ohio; 1,000 pages.
Most Improved Readers
1. Rebecca Hart, grade 4; Springfield, Virginia.
Pages this year: 3,013. Pages last
year: 744. Difference: 2,269.
2. Shannon Caldwell, grade 6; Roarkville,
Kentucky.
Pages this year: 2,039. Pages
last year: 229. Difference: 1,810.
3. Christina Reed, grade 5; Montgomery, Indiana.
Pages this year: 1,692. Pages last
year: 581. Difference: 1,111.
4. Robert Miller, grade 8; Detroit,
Michigan.
Pages this year: 2,250. Pages
last year: 1,148. Difference: 1,102.
5. Monique Melton, grade 1; Portsmouth,
Virginia.
Pages this year: 1,012. Pages
last year: 210. Difference: 802.
The 1989-90 contest began November 1,
1989, and will end February 1, 1990. This is a
change over previous contests. In the past the
contest began December 1 and ended March 1 of
the following year. This is the only major change
in the contest. As usual, students may enter the
contest any time up to the deadline.
We encourage parents, teachers, librarians,
and the students who have participated in the
contest to share with us any ideas on how we can
make the contest better. We would especially
like to hear from the students. For example, if
you have read books that you particularly enjoy
and would like to recommend to other contestants,
let us know.
To receive entry forms or to obtain further
information about the contest, please contact:
Mrs. Nadine Jacobson
5613 Oliver Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55419
(612)927-7694.
You may also contact:
Barbara Cheadle
National Federation of the Blind
1800 Johnson Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
(301)659-9314.
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