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May 13, 2009

Pat McGuckin
Henry Haupt

Jesse White and the IPA Announce Spotlight Awards For Outstanding Literacy Students and Tutors

SPRINGFIELD –Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White and the Illinois Press Association announced today the winners of the annual Spotlight on Achievement and Spotlight on Service awards recognizing outstanding literacy students and volunteer tutors in Illinois. The awards were presented during a ceremony at the Illinois State Library in Springfield.

"Every year I look forward to congratulating these outstanding students for their hard work and determination in seeking to obtain lifelong reading and learning skills," said Secretary White. "Those of us who learned to read and write at an early age cannot truly comprehend what a challenge it is for these students to undertake such tasks later in life. Many of them have had to overcome enormous difficulties and personal obstacles to reach this level of achievement. Theirs are stories of courage and amazing persistence, and all of us should be inspired by their success.”

“I am also very proud to recognize our ten outstanding volunteer tutors for their generosity and encouragement in helping literacy students achieve their utmost potential. It is so important for each of us to give something back to our neighbors and our communities, and these heroes who help enrich and enhance the lives of their students are a shining testament to the positive impact that comes from volunteerism."

Twelve students were recognized for outstanding achievement in developing and improving their literacy skills:

Cholena and Kachina Dabney, students at Oakton Community College, Skokie
Ron Draper, who attends classes at YWCA Adult Literacy, Pekin
Marc Girouard, John Wood Community College, Quincy
Richetta Harris-El, Lawrence Education Center, Springfield
Domenico Iannucci, YWCA Adult Literacy, Pekin
Armando and Mariela Mayorga, DeLaSalle/Tolton, Chicago
Lulu Qualls, Blue Gargoyle, Chicago
Oscar Ruiz, Instituto del Progreso Latino, Chicago
Jesse Veach, Common Place, Peoria
Freddie Williford, John A. Logan College, Carterville

The ten winners received a $200 check from the Illinois Press Foundation, a plaque presented by Secretary White, a personalized Illinois Blue Book, and a set of books donated by Delta Systems.

Ten outstanding tutors were honored for their contributions in helping literacy students reach their goals:

Norma Barnwell, a volunteer tutor at John Wood Community College, Quincy
Mary Berger, Township High School District 214 Community Education, Arlington Heights
Bob Gilbert, Lawrence Education Center, Springfield
James Himmelspach, McHenry County College, Crystal Lake
Steven Monroe, Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center, Chicago
Veronica Pacheco, Waubonsee Community College, Aurora
Becky Price, YWCA Adult Literacy, Pekin
William Summers, Kaskaskia College, Centralia
Shirley Turbov, Township High School District 214 Community Education, Arlington Heights
Panda Turner, Carl Sandburg College, Carthage

The ten winning tutors received a plaque and personalized Illinois Blue Book from Secretary White, and $200 is donated by the Illinois Press Foundation to the literacy program where they serve as volunteer tutors.

Students and tutors are nominated from among the nearly 200 local providers who receive literacy grant funding from the Secretary of State/Illinois State Library Literacy Office. Last year adult literacy programs that received grant funding provided educational services to 22,150 adult students. 8,501 volunteer tutors gave their time to help students develop and enhance their reading, writing, math and language skills. Persons interested in becoming volunteer tutors are urged to contact the Illinois Adult Learning Hotline at 1-800-321-9511.

“The Illinois Press Association and Foundation are proud to join Secretary of State Jesse White in honoring the recipients of the Spotlight on Achievement and Spotlight on Service awards,” said Kim Filson, Director of the Illinois Press Foundation. “This is a celebration of the achievements of 22 men and women who have improved the quality of their lives forever. They have done it by either learning to read better or by helping others to achieve their reading goals. Illinois newspapers are proud to be part of this commitment to help people overcome the crippling effects of illiteracy.”

2009 Spotlight On Achievement Winners

2009 Spotlight On Service Winners