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Biographies

2010 First-Place Winners

Apprentice Category: Grades 1-2

Griffin Miller of Medina, Ohio

Eight-year-old Griffin is a first time finalist to the Braille Challenge. Griffin attends second grade at Granger Elementary School. Griffin, also known as the Pi Whiz Kid, can recite up to the 200th digit of Pi from memory. His fascination of numbers helped him to excel in math where he already completed the 6th grade math curriculum. If he’s not tinkering with numbers, Griffin can be found playing the piano. The young musician and math magician is also learning Spanish and German, the other languages he can also recite the digits of Pi.

As the first place Apprentice winner, he receives a $1,000 savings bond and a Pac Mate with a Braille display.

First-place Apprentice winner Griffin Miller lets his fingers do the reading during the contest.

Freshman Category: Grades 3-4

Mitchell Bridwell of Brownsburg, Indiana

Nine-year-old Mitchell is a first time finalist to the Braille Challenge. He attends third grade at the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, where he is a member of the wrestling team. Mitchell spends his free time playing piano, participating in his 4H Club, playing in the Upward Basketball League.

As the first place Freshman winner, he receives a $2,000 savings bond and a Pac Mate.

Mitchell Bridwell, first-place Freshman winner, cheers during the Opening Ceremony.

Sophomore Category: Grades 5-6

Juliana Reala of Staten Island, New York

Eleven-year-old Juliana is a second time finalist to the Braille Challenge. Juliana attends sixth grade at IS 75 Paolo School. Juliana spends her free time reading, writing, listening to music, writing songs and dancing. She enjoys rock climbing, swimming traveling and camping. Juliana was recently featured in a documentary on dancers who are blind called “We Also Dance.”

As the first place Sophomore winner, she receives a $3,000 savings bond and a Pac Mate with a Braille display.

First-place Sophomore winner Julianna Reala with emcee Ashley Parker Angel.

Junior Varsity Category: Grades 7-9

Tiffany Zhao of Temple City, California

Tiffany is 14 years old and a three time Braille Challenge winner. She is in eighth grade and attends Oak Avenue Middle School, where she was the 3rd place winner in the science fair. Her favorite types of Braille books are mysteries and she is currently reading Angie Sage’s “Septimus Heap”. When she’s not busy reading, Tiffany can be found playing the piano. After eight years, her appreciation for music has not waned. Tiffany’s favorite outdoor activities include running, swimming, hiking and bicycling. Tiffany’s future plans include studying science in order to become a marine biologist.

As the first place Junior Varsity winner, she receives a $4,000 savings bond and a Pac Mate.

First-place Junior Varsity winner concentrates on her brialle reading during the competition.

Varsity Category: Grades 10-12

Judith Lung of Monterey Park, California

Seventeen-year-old Judith is a three time finalist and a two time Braille Challenge winner. She attends eleventh grade at Temple City High School where she excels in her AP and Honors classes. Judith spends her free time playing a large variety of instruments, including violin, piano, recorder, guitar and a Chinese instrument called the bamboo flute. She is interested in learning braille music so that she will be able to compose her own pieces one day. Judith enjoys reading and listening to Asian pop music.

As the first place Varsity winner, she receives a $5,000 savings bond and a Pac Mate with a Braille display. Her name will also be placed on the perpetual trophy.

First-place Varsity winner Judith Lung with emcee Ashley Parker Angel.

The Braille Challenge