Jessica Johnson, daughter of Mark and Anita Johnson of Warrenton, took second place in Freshman Division, Group II at the Missouri Regional Braille Challenge held Feb. 15 at Missouri School for the Blind.Jessica is a 12th-grade student at Missouri School for the Blind.For her outstanding performance, she was awarded a $20 Best Buy gift card from Lighthouse for the Blind Industries and $5 cash from the Braille Revival League.Jessica is one of seven Missouri School for the Blind students to place in their respective divisions at this year’s Missouri Regional Braille Challenge at Missouri School for the Blind. Altogether, 27 contestants participated.The Braille Challenge is an academic competition unlike any other. This two-stage contest is designed to motivate blind students to emphasize their study of braille, while rewarding their success with fun-filled, but challenging, local and national events.Any visually impaired student who reads braille is eligible to participate in the preliminary Challenge contest events, which are held from January to March throughout the U.S. and Canada.Top winners from Regional Braille Challenge contests are invited to Los Angeles to compete in the National Braille Challenge in June. For more information, visit www.brailleinstitute.org.Missouri School for the Blind offers educational and outreach services for legally blind Missouri children from birth to age 21 and their families.Missouri School for the Blind is operated by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education of the State of Missouri and its services are free of charge.Missouri School for the Blind serves school-aged children (kindergarten to grade 12) in St. Louis, and outreach services are offered throughout the state.Braille Challenge