Shawnee native Angel Cozort wins School for the Blind’s Cane Quest medal

MUSKOGEE, Okla. – Shawnee native Angel Cozort earned a Trailblazers B3 Bronze Medal at Oklahoma School for the Blind’s 12^th annual Oklahoma Regional Cane Quest competition in Muskogee.

Cozort, an OSB junior, earned points and prizes in a fast-paced contest with 41 other cane users from across the state.

Special thanks goes to Oklahoma Senator Dewayne Pemberton for making the day even better by passing out the medal and congratulating each winner.

Cozort’s award in the Trailblazers category included competitors in grades 10 through 12.

Cane Quest is a national program of the Braille Institute of America, based in Los Angeles, California.

Explorer and Trailblazer competitors successfully completed five types of street crossings and demonstrated more advanced cane skills along a route in downtown Muskogee.

More than 82 volunteers from across the state scored performance or partnered as a teammate or shadow with each contestant.

Cane Quest sponsors include Oklahoma School for the Blind, Braille Institute, Donations In Memory of Frank Dirksen, Friends of the Library OSLS, Lawton Council of the Blind, Let’s Choose Love Grant (Natalie Armstrong), Liberty Braille, Muskogee County Health Department, NanoPac, NewView Oklahoma, Oklahoma Chapter of AERBVI, Oklahoma Council of the Blind, Oklahoma State University – HOP, Oklahoma University - Pre-ETS, Ruth Kelly Studios, Sapulpa Lions Club, Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Transcribing Mariners and Tulsa Downtown Lions Club.

OSB and Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired are divisions of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services.

OSB’s staff serve students from preschool through 12th grade, offering specialized educational instruction education that meet all state education requirements. Students receive instruction in braille, orientation and mobility, assistive technology and other areas. They attend classes Monday through Thursday free of charge and are transported to regional stops throughout the state for holidays, summer breaks and three-day weekends during the regular school year. OSB staff also assist students with visual disabilities who attend other Oklahoma public schools, their families and educators.

For more information, phone OSB toll-free at 877-229-7136 or visit http://osb.k12.ok.us/.

(###)