Courtesy of Lincoln Parish Schools
A Lincoln Parish student is bringing home a national title after competing against some of the best young braille readers in the world.
Charity Boney recently won first place in the Apprentice Division at the 2026 Braille Challenge Finals in Los Angeles, California. The Apprentice Division includes first and second-grade students.
The Braille Challenge is considered the premier academic competition for students who are blind or visually impaired. This year’s event was the largest in the competition’s history, with finalists representing six countries.
Getting to the finals is an accomplishment on its own. Nine Louisiana students qualified for the national competition this year, with seven making the trip to Los Angeles to compete.
For Charity, this win is especially meaningful. According to published winners lists from the Braille Institute, she appears to be the first Louisiana student to bring home a medal from the Braille Challenge Finals. She placed second nationally in 2025 and returned this year to earn the championship.
“We’re incredibly proud of Charity and all that she has accomplished,” said Superintendent-elect John Young. “To compete on this stage and come home with a national championship is something special. She has represented her family, her school, our district, and our state incredibly well.”
Charity’s success is a reflection of her hard work and determination, along with the support of her family, teachers, and vision services staff who have helped her along the way.
The Lincoln Parish School District congratulates Charity on this incredible achievement and looks forward to seeing what she accomplishes next.
