By Krystal Guillory 

Charity Boney, a first-grade student at Hillcrest Elementary School, placed first in the 2025 Braille Challenge event.

She competed against other first and second grade students from across Louisiana in this academic contest, which includes the categories of spelling, reading comprehension, and proofreading.

Spelling consists of writing the word in both contracted and uncontracted braille. The reading comprehension portion asks students to evaluate passages and answer relevant questions. Proofreading assesses one’s ability to identify errors embedded within a passage, such as those in spelling, grammar, and word usage. 

In order to realize success, students must be able to read and write braille manually using a Perkins Braillewriter, as well as being conversant in various braille code rules. If she places in the top 10 in the nation, Charity will be invited to compete in California at the national level this summer.

Here’s wishing her the best of luck and all success!

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