Anne Arundel County Literacy Council

Student and Volunteer Success Stories

"Excellent student, highly motivated, and a self-starter" are words AACLC tutor Susann Felton enthusiastically uses to describe her student LaToya Saunders.

LaToya had to take one break in her work and also held three jobs to pay the rent and get ahead, but she persevered. We are proud to share that LaToya successfully completed the NEDP program in September of this year and earned her high school diploma! LaToya's graduation ceremony was held at AACC on October 17, 2018.

Congratulations to Ameeta for achieving her GED on May 29th! Ameeta successfully completed the first 3 sections of the GED on her first go-around. The Reading Language Arts section was the final hurdle and she pursued it doggedly until she passed. Several tutors—and the encouragement of her family—helped her along the way towards achieving her goal.

Ameeta and current tutor Michael Green held two 2-hour tutoring sessions per week, with Ameeta working hard the entire time and always asking for homework. She also enlisted her 7th and 8th-grade sons to work with her at home, checking her work so that she could then go over the areas she needed more help with. Michael says "I told her about a month before she took the test that she should schedule it – giving herself a deadline – and she didn't balk. She took and passed it on May 29th. It has been an honor and a privilege working with Ameeta."

Ameeta is now enrolled at AACC with a view towards a career in Physical Therapy. Her desire to be a Physical Therapist assistant was formed when her son, who is now a big, healthy middle-schooler, was born prematurely and needed physical and occupational therapy.

In the fall of 2016 former Literacy Council student Angel Cleckner was talking with Charlene Renaud, one of her hair styling clients, who confessed that she was unable to read. At Angel's urging, Charlene contacted the Council for help and was assessed and matched with tutor Bonnie Wright.

Charlene began working with Laubach Way to Reading (LWR) Book 1, Sounds and Names of Letters. Over the past 15 months, she has made steady progress and is now working on LWR Book 4. She works hard, faithfully completes her homework, and is eager to learn. Each week she tells Bonnie and her friends that she can't wait for her next lesson!

Charlene isn't the typical student. She doesn't have a career goal. and isn't measuring what she learns by how well she does on tests. Her goal is more personal, one of self-satisfaction. In applying for the program, her stated goal was to be able to read her Bible.

"I can read now. I can sound out the words if I don't know them. I have made quite a bit of progress! It is getting harder but it is supposed to be. It has helped me a lot in my Bible study class because now I can read my Bible." says Charlene. Other firsts: being able to read restaurant menus; having the confidence to do her own grocery shopping; and being able to read food labels, prescription instructions, road signs, and tenant notices in her building.

Angel Cleckner, who was responsible for introducing Charlene to the Literacy Council, said "I can see how Charlene has grown and how hard she has worked. I was in the program in 2006 and my life has blossomed because of it, just as it has for Charlene. Thanks so much to the tutors who take their time to help us out."