Following the April 16^th Tutor Training Class, CCLC has added 11 names to our list of ProLiteracy certified tutors! Congratulations and welcome to:   Sylvia Ferrell

A few new tutors in a group activity during the training

Eve Gaueher

Leigh Ann Horst

Patricia Kearns

Ruth Marwitz

Cynthia Perry

Marguerite Riley

Toby Riley

Kathleen Wilborne

Alexandra Wilson

Mary Wilson

Thank you for your commitment to help fulfill our mission!

8th Annual Contest "Reading is Important to Me"

This year, 734 third and fourth grade students participated from the following schools: Charles E. Bennet, Doctor's Inlet, Coppergate, Grove Park, Wilkinson, W.E. Cherry, and Clay Hill. Students write essays on the topic "Reading is Important to Me" and a panel of readers at each school selects the winning essays, which are then read aloud by the student writer at each school's May Awards Assembly. Essay winners receive a medal, a Certificate of Excellence, a booklet of winning essays and numerous gift items from area merchants. Booklets of winning essays will be on display at the CCLC's booth during various community-wide events throughout the year, such as the Orange Park Fall Festival, Carrie Clarke Day, The Clay County Agricultural Fair, etc. In addition, one or two of the winners are invited to read their essays at our Annual Awards Dinner in February. CCLC appreciates volunteer Cindy Fuss, who is heading up this year's essay competition. Thank you for all your hard work, Cindy!!

STUDENT: Georgina 

Georgina is a smiling woman in her mid-sixties with a warm demeanor and kind soul. As a literacy student, she strives to understand the world, and wants the world to understand her. Georgina developed lockjaw from tetanus contracted shortly after her birth. Among various physical effects, this had a tremendous impact on her speech and language development throughout school, which she didn't complete. Since Georgina grew up with language difficulties and some physical limitations, it was assumed that she had cognitive/learning limitations. Georgina had worked with at least two other tutors previously with CCLC. For various reasons, the time ended with each and last April, Georgina was motivated to once again improve her reading & writing skills. Therefore she began working with a new tutor, Suzanne, in May 2010. Georgina has made significant improvements, progressing from Level 2 Laubach books to Level 4. In December, Georgina read two pages of devotionals to her family as a Christmas gift. She continues to make improvements each week, especially in comprehension, spelling and fluency. Her goals include being able to read more of the Bible and to better understand various documents received in the mail.  

 Suzanne remembers her father tutoring through CCLC about a decade ago. She saw the dedication he put into the volunteer role, and also witnessed his joy in helping another person experience reading, a skill both Suzanne and her father deeply treasure. Last April, Suzanne decided to sign up for the training to become a tutor while she was at the Clay County Agricultural Fair. After the workshop, she couldn't wait to hear about her potential match. The call came and she learned her student's name along with a few other facts. During her first meeting with Georgina, Suzanne knew this was a great fit, but she also recognized the many gaps in Georgina's learning history that would present a challenge. The two simply "clicked." Now almost a year later, Suzanne is thankful for the privilege to help Georgina and looks forward to each lesson. "When Georgina told me that she had read aloud to her family as a Christmas gift, tears started streaming down my cheeks. I could see the pride and confidence in her eyes, a stark contrast to the embarrassment that used to surface." She loves watching Georgina improve and is humbled by her motivation. "Georgina endures many obstacles on a daily basis, and yet she arrives at each lesson, early, with her homework done and her sense of humor in tow. Our tutoring sessions are a top priority for her." 

If you would like to be featured in the student-tutor Spotlight, email us! clayliteracy@aol.com

The Clay County Literacy Coalition extends many thanks to:

 ...Lynn Bankston and Virginia Hash, CCLC Fair Coordinators, and EVERYONE who volunteered during the recent Clay County Agricultural Fair. Whether you were a host in the Schoolhouse, or baked goodies for our very successful bake sale, your assistance was valuable. We especially appreciate Donna and Richard Smith, whose masterpiece cupcakes and pumpkin bread doubled our bake sale proceeds! We are also grateful to Larry Lancaster, Director of the Early Florida Village, for the opportunity to be a part of the Village and the Fair.

...Phyllis Weston, for coordinating our March Community Events.

...the Art Guild of Orange Park, Inc. for their donation of $150.00 and the opportunity for CCLC to promote literacy at their upcoming Art & About event.

  KUDOS to CCLC student Rose Nieto, whose essay titled  "POMPO ...  SOMEONE I ADMIRE!" was just selected by the Florida Literacy Coalition to be included in their 2011 Adult Learner Essay Book.

Way to go, Rose!!