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Biographies

2009 First-Place Winners

Apprentice Category: Grades 1-2

Gabriella (Ahbee) Orton of Crowley, Texas

Eight-year-old Gabriella is a first-time finalist to The Braille Challenge®. Gabriella attends second grade at Deer Creek Elementary School. She spends her free time playing piano, singing and dancing. She also loves to go roller-skating and ice skating with her family. Her humble upbringing in a Chinese orphanage has inspired her desire to become a missionary in China. As the first-place Apprentice winner she received a $1,000 savings bond and a Pac Mate with a braille display.

First-place Apprentice winner Gabriella (Ahbee) Orton with emcee Jim Cummings

Freshman Category: Grades 3-4

Danielle Cowan of New York, New York

Ten-year-old Danielle is a first-time finalist to The Braille Challenge®. She attends fourth grade at the New York Institute for Special Education. Danielle spends her free time playing piano and learning to read braille music. She also loves writing and serving as the editor for her school’s newspaper, The Grape Vine. She hopes to pursue a career in Journalism one day. As the first-place Freshman winner, she received a $2,000 savings bond and a Pac Mate with a braille display.

Danielle Cowan with emcee Jim Cummings and Braille Challenge Director Nancy Niebrugge

Sophomore Category: Grades 5-6

Vejas Vasiliauskas of Manhattan Beach, California

Twelve-year-old Vejas is a four-time finalist to The Braille Challenge®. He attends sixth grade at Manhattan Beach Middle School. He competed in the California State Scientific Olympiad and was honored for his catapult project. Vejas is proficient in Lithuanian braille. He is known for his dry sense of humor. He spends his free time playing piano, rock climbing at a local indoor arena, swimming and horseback riding. He also loves surfing and has plans to visit Hawaii this summer to dust off his surfboard. As the first-place Sophomore winner, he received a $3,000 savings bond and a Pac Mate with a braille display.

First-place Sophomore winner Vejas Vasiliauskas with emcee Jim Cummings and Braille Challenge Director Nancy Niebrugge

Junior Varsity Category: Grades 7-9

Megan Bening of Arlington, Minnesota

Fifteen-year-old Megan is a three-time finalist to The Braille Challenge® and a two-time winner. She attends ninth grade at Sibley East High School. Megan spends her free time practicing her shot put technique—she is currently a member of her school’s track and field team. She is also a lover of computer technology, and is designing her own Web site. She has plans to become either an OB/GYN or a teacher one day. As the first-place Junior Varsity winner, she receives a $4,000 savings bond and a Pac Mate with a braille display.

First-place Junior Varsity winner Megan Bening with emcee Jim Cummings

Varsity Category: Grades 10-12

Desmond Delgadillo of Pico Rivera, California

Fifteen-year-old Desmond is a two-time finalist to The Braille Challenge®. He attends ninth grade at El Rancho High School and is taking advanced classes. Desmond spends his free time playing the acoustic guitar, writing and blogging. As the first-place Varsity winner, he receives a $5,000 savings bond and a Pac Mate with a braille display. His name will also be placed on the perpetual trophy.

First-place Varsity winner Desmond Delgadillo with emcee Jim Cummings