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Legally blind teen to compete in this year's Magnolia Soap Box Derby

The Magnolia Soap Box derby is in Macon annually.

Things are starting to heat up, making it the perfect time to go out and enjoy the Magnolia Soap Box Derby coming up on Saturday.

Dozens of racers are getting ready to take the trip up the hill and bring home that 1st place title, including one student from the Georgia Academy for the Blind.

The Georgia Academy School for the Blind's derby car is finished and ready to put the pedal to the metal.

"I'm going to make sure I get everything right, make sure I keep the steering wheel straight, make sure I figure out the kinks inside the car so I can make sure I don't mess up the day of," said sophomore Jartavius Primus.

Primus is getting behind the wheel and making history as the first legally-blind person competing in the race.

He has a condition called ocular albinism, which reduces the coloring of the iris.

That makes him extremely nearsighted.

"Some of the students here do have some vision and they use it to the best of their ability, and even though they don't see the finish line, they will see it as they pass it," said Neel Bennett, a science teacher at the school.

And Primus says his competitive nature will push him to zoom into first place.

"It gives me a drive, like if I see someone in front of me, I'm going to do all in my power to get in front," he said.

He's been practicing hard to prove himself, and hopefully inspire others to do the same.

"They think that we are not able, but in reality, we are able just like the next man," he said.

"This is kind of like an example to show them that we can go down there and walk around just like you, talk just like you, race just like you, get first place possibly, but people underestimate us at times."

He's saying "Don't judge a book by its cover," because he's ready to open others eyes to all he can accomplish.

Primus says he's ready to race Saturday and looks forward to meeting people from other high schools.

The practice run starts at 10 a.m., but if you want to see Primus in action, the race kicks off at 11.

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