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130 learners, tutors, board, and family members attended the Literacy Volunteers Annual Awards Ceremony. We packed the 2nd Presbyterian Church fellowship hall and witnessed the announcement of the 2004 Sig Davidson Learners and Dudley Woody Tutors of the Year awards for both the Basic Literacy and English-for-Speakers-of-Other-Languages programs. This year’s awardees were learners Charles E. Rogers for Basic Literacy and Bachitar Singh for ESOL. Tutors Dennis Pendleton and Joe Caselles were awarded the tutor awards for Basic Literacy and ESOL respectively.
 Dennis Pendleton and Charles E. Rogers, better known as Roy to friends and family, came forward to receive their awards together. Having worked together for three years, this learner-tutor pair has had great success. Although this past year he suffered debilitating injury when a tractor trailer ran his car off the highway, Roy continued to work with Dennis, determined to meet his goal of passing the GED tests. This spring, Roy passed four of five GED tests with flying colors, reaching a significant milestone but not the end of his work. He has one more test to go – Language Arts, Writing. Because of his determination, Roy will surmount this last obstacle to finish the tests successfully. He truly appreciates the help that Dennis has given over the last three years. They’ve been a great team.
 ESOL Learner of the Year, Bachitar Singh, whom tutor Jim Steffen nominated, has worked in the program for two years. He has made noteworthy advances in his English studies in that time, moving from an immediate level to advanced. Bachitar’s other participation in the program has been very significant has well -- for example, his contributions to student publications like Cultural Soup. We send a hearty congratulations to Bachitar for all his hard work.
ESOL Tutor of the Year, Joe Caselles came to Literacy Volunteers two years ago. Having moved from Florida, where he had already volunteered as an English language instructor, Joe hit the ground running, taking on small groups of students at a time when the number of ESOL learners waiting was at its highest. In his time with us, Joe has tutored over thirty students, accumulating hundreds of hours of instructions. He currently tutors small groups on Wednesdays and Fridays. Joe truly embraces the English immersion philosophy, focusing on all language components – reading, writing, speaking, and listening. High interest reading, writing activities, and lively discussions help learners achieve success in their goals. Thanks and congratulations, Joe, for all your hard work.
 The two learners of the year rose to the top of a field of very fine nominees, who received certificates of recognition at the event. The learner of the year nominees in the Basic Literacy Program were Joe Dillon, Ruth Gaither, Carl Jackson, Barbara Johnson, Evan McCreath, and JoAnn Taylor. The ESOL Program nominees were Bok Soon Chang, Geanna Cheong, Linh Dang, Ninfa Di Posperis, Laura Duarte, Afshin Farrokhpoor, Rita Hastenreiter, Kim Hisaki, Kyoko Jennings, Sook Kim, Sonoko Kubota, Rosalia Munoz, Saring Sahibkran, Beatriz Valencia, America Vinces, and Wang Fei.
The two tutors of the year make excellent representatives of the fine folks who become volunteer tutors in general. Literacy Volunteers is fortunate to have so many dedicated volunteers. The tutor of the year nominees also outstandingly represent the people who give so much to the learners in our programs. The ESOL nominees were Charlotte Hines, Karen Recknor, and Carol Sheahan. The Basic Literacy nominees were Lewis Crossgrove, Donna David, Betty Jo Hayes, Rosie Layman, Melanie Parker, and Susan Woldanski. Congratulations to all.
Dee Copenhaver received the 2004 Ruth Lipnik-Sarah Rubush Volunteer of the Year Award. Dee has served as a member of the LVRV Board of Directors since August 2002. She currently co-chairs our Book Sale Committee, which organized this year’s Annual Book Sale held at Tanglewood Mall in June, helping to raise $13,125. She and the committee supervise the activities of more than 60 volunteers to make this event a success (see details on book sale). This spring, Dee also coordinated the Incredible Reading Rally that took place at Glen Cove and Crystal Spring Elementary Schools, helping to raise over $2,000. Dee’s energy and commitment to our program are phenomenal. She’s a fine example of the volunteer spirit, giving us a model to aspire to.
We also honored the backbone of Literacy Volunteers, our long-time tutors. Five-year tutors were Judy Dunn, Ron Swenson, and Stuart Wamsley. Kathy Seeley and Fred Taylor have six years. Helen and Farley Childress have seven years. Eight-year tutors were Claire Blake, Barb Carraher, and Lewis Crossgrove. Nancy Chapin has nine years. Kathleen Lautigar and Judy Perdue have eleven years. Emily Moore, Susie Fetter and Lee Bristor have a phenomenal thirteen, fourteen, and fifteen years respectively. Literacy Volunteers of Roanoke Valley could not exist without the long-term commitment of these fine folks.
The event ended with the debut of Writing from the Heart and two learners, Travis Crowe and Rita Hastenreiter, reading their pieces from the book. Thanks to everyone who participated.
To see a photo gallery of the event, please click here.
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