by Susanne O'Neill
It had all the excitement of a Hollywood debut. Everyone was dressed in their Sunday best, and extended families and friends joined in to congratulate. It was a time for the LCNV stars to shine and share their successes. The evening was a culmination and celebration of a year of learning, teaching, and new friendships for our students, tutors, classroom teachers, and volunteers. The James Lee Community Center Theatre was filled to capacity with an excited audience eager to listen to and share personal accomplishments and "Hopes for the Future," this year's theme.
After opening greetings from LCNV Executive Director Patti Donnelly, Board President Gary Evans, and event sponsor TD Bank's regional Vice President Chris Arabia, our guest speaker, Dr. Marta Palacios, was introduced. Dr. Palacios shared the story of her struggles and successes after leaving her native El Salvador, working low paying jobs when she arrived in the U.S. and eventually attaining a GED, and then a BS, MS and Ed. D. from George Washington University. She has been principal of Bruce-Monroe Elementary School in Washington, D.C. since 2001 and has established the Dual Language Enrichment Program in English and Spanish with the aim of meeting the specific linguistic and educational needs of the community. There were many rounds of applause for this truly inspirational guest.
Then it was time for the winners of this year's student essay contest, centered on the event's theme, to come on stage and read their entries. Al Costanzo, second place winner in the Basic Adult Literacy category, shared his hope of going to college, opening a toy store, and publishing children's books. Profiled in this issue's Student Spotlight, Hala Elnoby was unable to attend the ceremony, but her teacher Melissa Martin read Hala's first place essay for the Classroom Program category.
"It is important for me to speak English so that I can have a better future," said second place ESOL Tutoring student, Gloria Cruz. "One of my priorities is to become an American citizen. I can participate in democracy and be able to vote."
The first place winner in the Basic Literacy category, Jieun Jang, expressed how learning English was to her like "a growing tree that makes an annual ring. We can't feel how much bigger and taller the tree is each year, but it is working every day. Now I am a little tree, but I will be a big tree someday."
An added honor came from Congressman Gerald E. Connolly, who officially submitted for the Congressional Record of the U.S. House of Representatives on June 18, 2009, a congratulations to all the student essay winners as well the recipients of the Community Partner Awards: Alexandria Community Trust, Wish You Well Foundation, and the Richard Byrd Library, and volunteers of the year Kay Habeger, Michael Wolff, and Monica Simone.
The stage became crowded as the Outstanding Students, then teachers/tutors, and volunteers of the year were recognized, thanked and awarded certificates. Thirty-eight volunteers were honored for Volunteer Service Anniversary Awards for 5-35 years of commitment to the Literacy Council programs.
Our Americorps teachers, Kristen Bergh, Ruth Dowe, Melanie DePaulis, Melissa Martin, Asmait Tewelde, and Adrienne Ward were honored for their creative lessons, contagious enthusiasm and dedication to their students and adult literacy.
Then it was time to celebrate with refreshments and music. Everyone moved to the classroom areas for tea sandwiches, cake, punch and more thanks. TD Bank, in addition to donating Visa gift cards to all essay winners, held a drawing for a lucky attendee to receive a gift card, too. The night continued as friends enjoyed chatting, listening and some dancing to the saxophone played by Bernadino Crespo, one of our talented LCNV students.
The Council would like to give a special thanks to our second year event sponsor, TD Bank, whose representatives read and judged over 125 essays, catered the reception and donated gift cards to essay winners as well as a door prize. TD Bank representatives in attendance were Nancy Burns, Chris Arabia, and Dennis Prescott.
TD Bank recently announced a new way for LCNV supporters to expand their support of the Literacy Council: TD Bank's Affinity Membership Program. When LCNV supporters become TD Bank customers, TD Bank will, using its own funds, donate a percentage of that customer's annual accounts to the Literacy Council. Checking, savings, money market, CDs, and retirement accounts are all eligible. Visit www.tdbank.com or call (703) 663-7601 for more information.
Visit the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia on these other sites as well:
