Brynn Larsen and Transcriber Jennifer Borley read Charlotte's Web together. (Red Deer Public Schools)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

overcoming adversity

Central Middle student wins Braille Challenge

Mar 26, 2024 | 11:18 AM

A grade seven student at Red Deer Public is the winner of this year’s Alberta Regional Braille Challenge.

Now, Brynn Larsen, a grade seven student at Central Middle School, is being celebrated for breaking down barriers and being an inspiration.

The challenge is comprised of reading and writing portions, and promotes the importance of Braille literacy in students with vision loss.

“I really focused on my spelling this year, and listened to the words very carefully,” said Larsen, adding this is her seventh year competing in the program.

This year’s theme was the Olympics, with competitors participating in a variety activities including curling, and a makeshift luge and skiing challenge after the Braille competition.

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Larsen also had the chance to hear a motivational message from Tiana Knight, a lawyer and former member of the goalball national team who represented Canada at the Parapan American Games in 2015.

“Brynn is the bravest kid I have ever met,” says Jennifer Borley, transcriber at Central.

“I could tell Brynn was laser-focused and really engaged this year. The Braille Challenge is an awesome opportunity for kids with visual impairments to interact with one another, and it’s great as a transcriber to connect with other transcribers across the province.”

In her spare time, Larsen runs distance races (around 8-10 km) with her dad, and has raised more than $1,200 for an event called Sight Night, which is a race that raises money for the Alberta Sports and Recreation Association for the Blind.

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