[stylist] Youth writing contest PR update

Thu Aug 4 15:57:37 UTC 2011

Hi Shawn,
Well, as to the reporter getting it ... This is an excellent example of the
value of a press release. I will copy below what I sent (minus the contact
info) and you can see for yourself that much of the article is taken
directly from the press release, including the part about the NFB and the
Jernigan Institute, which appears at the bottom of all NFB press releases
including mine. Nonetheless, the reporter decided to include the
information, which they don't all do, so kudos to her.
Donna
Block quote
Blind Ellijay Middle School Student Wins First Prize in National Writing
Contest

Ellijay, Georgia, (July 8, 2011): Isabel Nieves (13, Ellijay) has won first
prize in the middle school poetry category of the Youth Writing Contest of
the nonprofit National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Writers' Division.
Isabel, who will be attending Clear Creek Middle School this fall, is the
daughter of Ramon Nieves, who has been with Home Depot in Blue Ridge for 20
years, and Elizabeth Nieves, who is a stay-at-home Mom. The announcement was
made Tuesday at the NFB's annual convention in Orlando, Florida.

Isabel, who loves music (especially the classics like Doris Day), is a
singer and self-taught pianist. She won first place for her solo performance
of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" this past year at Gilmer Middle School. She
occasionally sings with the Good Samaritan Catholic Church choir. She is an
excellent Braille reader and loves reading all kinds of books (especially
mysteries and Nancy Drew), which she borrows from the National Library
Service for the Blind & Physically Handicapped. Her winning entry is
"Directions to Music Land."

Isabel was born premature at 24 weeks and weighed just one pound eight
ounces. "She's definitely a miracle," her Dad says.

She suffered a lack of oxygen and has Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), the
most common cause of blindness in children. Despite four surgeries, she is
totally blind.

The annual contest promotes Braille literacy and excellence in creative
writing. Despite strong evidence that Braille literacy significantly
improves a blind person's ability to obtain employment and advanced degrees,
only ten percent of America's blind children are taught to read it.

Contestants were required to hand emboss their entries using either the
slate and stylus or a Braille writer (no computer generated Braille was
accepted). Entries were judged on creativity and quality of Braille. The NFB
Writers' Division encourages all blind people to adopt a "can-do" attitude
and learn the skills that will enable them to live full, productive and
independent lives.

"We are all impressed and delighted with Isabel's creativity and Braille
skills," said Robert Leslie Newman, president of the NFB Writers' Division,
"and we are thankful for the support she is receiving at home and in
school."

Isabel will receive a cash prize of $25 and the chance to be published in
"Slate and Style," the quarterly literary magazine of the NFB Writers'
Division:
www.nfb-writers-division.net/

The Nieves family has two other children: Emily (14) and Raymond (7).

###
About the National Federation of the Blind: With more than 50,000 members,
the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential
membership organization of blind people in the United States.   The NFB
improves blind people's lives through advocacy, education, research,
technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. 
It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the
nation's blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of
the
Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the
United States for the blind led by the blind. 
Block quote end

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Jacobson, Shawn D
Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2011 11:30 AM
To: 'Writer's Division Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [stylist] Youth writing contest PR update

Donna

Thanks for sharing; that was a good article and the person who wrote it
understands our philosophy and the need for Braille; too bad the education
establishment doesn't get it like the reported did.

Shawn

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Donna Hill
Sent: Tuesday, August 02, 2011 7:00 PM
To: Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: [stylist] Youth writing contest PR update

Hi Friends,

The Times Courier of Ellijay, Georgia has published an article about Isabel
Nieves, who won first place in our middle school poetry category with her
poem "Directions to Music Land." It appears on the site as a PDF, and even
when I saved it as text, it was jibberish. I'll attach the file in the hopes
that one of you will have a better way of making this accessible.

I've also heard from several reporters who want to do stories on Ethan Fung,
Nicky Lentz and Lindsay Adar. Lindsay, who is the daughter of NOPBC
President Laura Weber,  is having an interview this evening with the Houston
Chronicle. Hopefully, we'll be able to read that one.

Donna

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