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Visually Impaired Student Aces FCAT Writing

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MICHELE SAGER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 10, 2008

TAMPA PALMS - Call him imaginative. Call him determined. Call him stubborn. Just don't call him blind.

Liberty Middle School eighth-grader Peyton Short can barely make out images because of a genetic condition that has left him visually impaired. But it hasn't kept Peyton from his first loves of reading and writing.

His passion for the written word was evident with his recent score on the writing portion of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. He earned a perfect score, one of 22 students in his school to earn the top mark.

His teachers and parents said his love of reading contributes to his excellent writing ability. Peyton uses a machine called a PAC Mate that allows him to download and read books in Braille, as well as write from the machine.

"I really love stories about fantasy," Peyton said. "I love 'Chronicles of Narnia,' 'Star Wars' and 'Harry Potter.'"

Peyton has read 'Harry Potter' in such detail that he can recall any chapter name with just the mention of a book's volume and chapter number.

"Peyton will actually copy-edit the books as he is reading them for errors the editors have missed," said his vision teacher, Kathy Kremplewski.

She said Peyton has blossomed during the five years she has worked with him.

"When we started, he was very quiet and would follow the lead of others students," she said. "But he has become a bit more decisive and outgoing. Where he once was intimidated by technology, he now embraces and excels at it."

Kremplewski said Peyton still faces his frustrations.

"He doesn't like to be called blind," she said. "I think this is because he is teased at school at times."

Peyton admitted that the teasing can be tough but said he has a close circle of friends he counts on.

"I have a friend who helps me through the halls to find my classes," he said.

In his free time, Peyton collects "Star Wars" action figures. His room in decorated with action figures, light sabers and others "Star Wars" paraphernalia.

Peyton also likes to write fantasy works of his own. But the budding author remains mum about his work. He won't even reveal what his top-scoring FCAT essay was about.

Peyton has other dreams besides writing.

"I want to open a pizza shop someday and decorate it with 'Star Wars' stuff," he said. "That way, I have everything I like around me."

Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (813) 865-4843 or msager@tampatrib.com.

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