In addition to graduating high school last month, Burnsview Secondary’s Ella Yu was announced as a finalist in this year’s Braille Challenge Finals.
Yu, who is completely blind, has competed eight times in the international competition that tests and promotes braille literacy. This year marks the fifth time that she has been a finalist. It will also be her last time competing as she moves on from high school.
“To make the finals just feels really special … I feel that I’m really lucky,” says Yu.
More than 1,000 youth from Canada and the U.S. competed in regional braille competitions earlier this year to try to secure their spot in the Braille Challenge Finals, and now, the 50 finalists have been announced.
Each age-based category has 10 finalists, and the top three winners within each category will be announced at the end of July.
Competitors in the Braille Challenge Finals are tested on their fundamental comprehension skills, including reading, spelling, proofreading, and charting and graphing.
“I usually just find that [the tests are] a reminder of what I know, and what I want to be able to do,” she says.
In light of the pandemic, the finalists will be completing their tests in their hometowns this year instead of making the usual trip to University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
Getting to meet new people and putting her current knowledge to the test are some of the reasons that Yu continues to take part in this prestigious competition.
In addition to her impressive braille reading and writing accomplishments, Yu is also a passionate musician and plays the piano, violin and viola.
“I also love anything to do with using technology, whether its mainstream technology or technology geared towards blind people,” Yu said.
During the week leading up to the ceremony, the Braille Institute will be hosting workshops by key organization and companies in the field of visual impairment and assistive technologies.
To watch the closing award ceremony’s livestream on July 30, check out the Braille Institute’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/BrailleInstitute.
