Kansas Sunflower Regional Braille Challenge
The Braille Challenge® is a unique two-stage competition. Each year, between January and March, students in grades 1-12 attend a regional Braille Challenge in their area. Students participate in Braille Spelling, Reading Comprehension, Proofreading, Speed and Accuracy, and Chart and Graph Reading challenges. The top 50 scorers from regional events in the U.S. and Canada are invited to the National Competition held in Los Angeles, California during the month of June.
Categories of Student Competition:
Grades 1-2: Apprentice
Grades 3-4: Freshman
Grades 5-6: Sophomore
Grades 7-9: Junior Varsity
Grades 10-12: Varsity
All are Welcome!
The Kansas Sunflower Regional Braille Challenge is a celebration of braille, regardless of the student’s level of participation.
An ‘ABC’ session for students, regardless of age or grade, who are not quite ready for the Apprentice Level competition, is offered at both regional events. The ‘ABC’ session may help students prepare for future Braille Challenges. Please keep in mind that the ‘ABC’ participation will not qualify for the national Braille Challenge.
All tests and scores will be sent to the Braille Institute in California. Participants eligible for the national competition will be notified by the Braille Institute when the finalists are announced around the first of May.
Kansas participants invited to California will receive reimbursement for one (1) round-trip airline ticket for their finalist courtesy of the KC Blind All-Stars Foundation.
LOCATIONS
The Kansas Sunflower Regional Braille Challenge is held in two locations. Please register for one regional location by checking the correct box on the registration form.
February 14, 2020
Kansas School for the Blind
1100 State Ave, Kansas City, KS 66102
Contact: Aundrayah Shermer
February 29, 2020
Derby Middle School
801 E Madison Ave, Derby, KS 67037
Contact: Debbie Moody – South Central KS
REGISTRATION FORMS: DEADLINE DECEMBER 20, 2019
Either a parent or TSVI can register the participant. Download, complete and include a parent signature on the form. Registration will be BY PAPER ONLY this year! Email completed form directly to: ashermer@kssdb.org
TSVIs, please mark the appropriate category for your student on the registration form. (For example, if your student is in middle school but taking an apprentice test, PLEASE mark the correct test on the form).
TSVIs – if your student is going to participate in the SPELLING ONLY portion of the event, please make sure to write that on the registration form. Remember, these students will not qualify for national competition.
PRACTICE OPPORTUNITIES
KSSB Staff will be offering practice sessions in Kansas City, Wichita AND Garden City. Watch for an announcement in late January for more information on these practice sessions!
PRACTICE SESSION SCHEDULED:
- Date TBD: Derby Kansas. For details contact Debbie Moody
- Date TBD: Garden City. For details contact Menely Hogan
- Date TBD: KSSB. For details contact Aundrayah Shermer
National Braille Challenge developed the iBraille App to give students the opportunity to practice on their iPad and braille display. Visit the Braille Institute website for more information – see iBraille Challenge App
Braille Challenge Sample Contests can be downloaded from the Braille Institute. See Sample Contests.
SPONSORS - WE THANK YOU!
KSSB Sunflower Regional Braille Challenge wants to thank these generous sponsors. We could not do this without you!
Humanware
Seedlings Braille Books for Children
National Braille Press
KC Blind All-Stars
Envision, Inc. – Wichita, KS
Derby Middle School – USD 260 – Derby, KS
Kansas Lions Sight Foundation
Hallmark
Garden City Vision Source
Garden City Optometrists
Garden City Noon Lions Club
Mark One Electric
McAnany, Van Cleave & Phillips (MVP)
Kansas City Board of Public Utilities (BPU)
Bank of Labor
UMB
First National Bank
Alphapointe – Kansas City, MO
Kansas Gas Service
Drum Safari
Contact
If you have any questions related to registration or would like to make a donation or volunteer for this unique Signature Event please contact: Aundrayah Shermer, Director of Field Services at ashermer@kssdb.org or 913-305-3016.