Monterey County visually impaired students win on regional challenge

Students of the Monterey County Office of Education Program for the Visually Impaired competed on Saturday, March 2 in the Regional Braille Challenge held at California School for the Blind in Fremont.

Students competed in the areas of spelling, reading comprehension, dictation and interpretation of tactile graphics during the all-day competition.


“We're extremely proud of our Monterey County students and staff," said Martina Sholiton, Assistant Superintendent, Special Education. "Our students have had many wins in the Regional Braille Challenges in past years. Two of our students, Janie Brunson and Monserath Espinola, have scored high enough to compete against top winners in the National Braille Challenge."


The 2013 Monterey County winners are:
Janie Brunson, senior at Carmel High – 1st place, Varsity
Alejandro Aguilar, 5th grader at Cesar Chavez in Greenfield – 2nd Place, Sophomore
Rocco Romeo, 4th grader at Washington Union Elementary –1st Place, Freshman
Monserath Espinola, 3rd grader at Del Rey Woods, Seaside – 2nd Place, Freshman
Melina Mendoza, 2nd grader at Marshall Elementary, Seaside –2nd Place Apprentice


Student scores will be compiled with scores from other regional competitions, and the top winners will compete in the National Braille Challenge.

Janie Brunson also won in 2010 and 2011, and Monserath Espinola won in 2012. Janie won 2nd place nationally in 2010.

Janie and her parents


Rocco and Alejandro