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Introducing the Student Teams Competing At KSSB-Make48 Event

Updated: Nov 29, 2022

Make48 has teamed up with The Kansas State School For The Blind for its final event competition of the year!


The December event starts on Friday, December 2nd and will carry on until Sunday morning. Six teams of students will compete with three (3) participants each and a Team Captain, who will come from a sponsoring corporation or non-profit. They include Children’s Mercy, TRANE, Kansas City Eye Clinic/Operation Breakthrough, Wet & Forget, Kansas City Blind All Stars and the DeBruce Foundation.


The 18 participants competing in the 48-hour event are coming from across Kansas and Missouri. Four students currently attend KSSB and three of them have graduated from KSSB within the past year. Five students will be attending their very first event at KSSB! These students are from Kansas City, MO, Wichita, KS and in-between. Students were recommended based on age, grade, independence level, and interest in Makerspace activities. Of the students competing, there are High School seniors, eight students who are 9th, 10th or 11th graders and three middle school age students. The winning team will win $2,000 and move on to compete at Nationals this spring for a chance to win $10K!


This event will be very similar to our past events with one exception. Accessibility will be at the forefront of the competition. The Make48 team is working closely with KSSB staff on creating the best environment for the teams. When creating true accessibility, factors to consider include interpretation (especially for events), language (verbal descriptions), written materials, and accessible spaces. One thing that will remain constant….teams will build and learn something new, have fun and make new friends!


Meet the teams who will take a big step into the Making world!


Team Intelleggtuals

Wet & Forget - Team Captain



  • Taylor is from Wichita, Kansas, and recently completed the transition program at the Kansas State School for the Blind. Taylor is currently working full-time at Envision, Inc in Wichita as a Preschool Teacher. In her free time, Taylor loves watching movies, listening to music, and spending time with her family.

  • Hashim is a college student from Wichita, KS. He is currently enrolled at Wichita State University, studying Communications, with a minor in Public Relations. In his free time, he enjoys learning about different cultures, languages, and beliefs, but he especially takes pride in his creativity, whether it be within his writing, music, or speech.

  • Patrick is 18 years old and from Overland Park, KS. Patrick attends the TEC Center in Kansas City, KS, and his interests are all things computer related. He is also creative and develops programs in his free time. Outside of computers, Patrick enjoys sports, music, writing, and the weather.


​​Team Wild Wings

Children's Mercy - Team Captain



  • Iris is 14 and attends Blue Valley High School. After high school, she hopes to have a career in the technology or engineering industry. In her free time, Iris likes to play video games and hang out with friends.

  • Riley is 15 years old and lives in Udall, KS (this is South Central Kansas for those of you wondering). She really enjoys Star Wars and teasing her brothers. Riley has not decided about what she wants to do after high school, but she is thinking about being a singer/songwriter.

  • Addie is an 8th grade student in Holton, KS. In her free time, she likes to listen to audio books and play with her dogs and cats on the farm. After high school graduation, Addie would like to attend Washburn University to study Special Education.


Noble Nuggets

DeBruce Foundation - Team Captain



  • Rich is from Andover, KS and is studying Education. He works part time in the Accessibility and Support Services office at Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC), and also part time with his dad at RJAK Processing LLC. Rich's interests include music production, playing instruments, and exploring new and old access technology. When not working or studying, Rich can be found in front of his keyboard, learning songs or writing new melodies.

  • Jimmy is from Maize, KS. Jimmy is currently attending the Project SEARCH program at the Kansas State School for the Blind, and enjoys his work at the YMCA. In his free time, Jimmy likes to write and produce music. He also enjoys working with technology and web accessibility.

  • Caleb is 13 years old and lives in Salina, Kansas with his parents and 3 brothers. His interests include history, books of all kinds, and raising rabbits. Caleb is also an active member of his local homeschool co-op and 4H. Caleb loves learning and his determination and problem solving skills have allowed him to find success both academically and in everyday life.


TEAM VARICELLA (Nothing can resist us!)

Kansas City Blind All Stars - Team Captain



  • Isaac is an 18-year-old, legally blind change-maker. Isaac really enjoys participating in theater, choir, and competitive dramatics (judged theater) at his school. He also gets involved with life through Scouts and National Honor Society. He really likes to challenge himself and he could not wait to participate in this super cool event!

  • Gabe is a senior at Bishop Ward High School and Kansas State School for the Blind. Next year, he plans to study Biomedical Engineering at a (yet to be determined) university. In his free time, Gabe enjoys playing chess, as well participating in and watching sports.

  • Liam was born and raised in China. He was adopted by his parents when he was 13. He is currently enrolled at Kansas City Kansas Community College. He is studying to become a high school government/history teacher. In his free time, Liam likes to exercise.


Little Red Hens

Trane - Team Captain




  • Callie is 15, and a sophomore at Blue Valley High. Callie loves reading, writing, and programming. She's also wanted a guide dog since she was 8 and is currently on the waitlist to receive one from Southeastern Guide Dogs in Palmetto, Florida.

  • Cecilia is 13 years old and in the eighth grade. Her favorite subject in school is Art. Cecilia lives in Wichita, KS and she loves her dog, two cats, gecko, and snake.

  • Lyra is 16 years old and a junior at Bonner Springs High School. Lyra is an aspiring author and journalist. Some of her hobbies include reading, writing, singing, playing video games, and playing board games.


Three Chicks & A Dude

Kansas City Eye Clinic/Operation Breakthrough - Team Captain



  • Therese is a creative and hardworking 6th grader. She enjoys family time and listening to exciting books. She spends her free time designing and constructing wood pallet forts, sitting on top of the shed roof, and creating art. She funnels her love of travel and new experiences into storytelling, and hopes to someday be a professional writer of books people want to read.

  • Braydn is a kind-hearted 9th grader from Dexter, KS who likes to hang out with his family, friends, and his dog, Tucker. When not at school, Braydn enjoys video games and talking to friends. He is easy going and his quick wit keeps conversations interesting. After high school, Braydn would like to pursue photography because he feels he has a unique perspective.

  • Yvonne is a sophomore at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Olathe, KS. Yvonne enjoys participating in several activities such as swimming, forensics, choir, theater, model UN, and scholars bowl. Yvonne is not sure what she would like to do after H.S. and she is still considering all options for after she graduates.

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