D.C. LEARNs 11th Annual Literacy Awards Event Honors Washington D.C.'s Literacy Leaders

D.C. LEARNs honored the District's outstanding literacy volunteers, students, and leaders at the 11th Annual Adult Literacy Awards Event on Thursday, October 25th, 2007 at the SunTrust Bank Building, 1445 New York Ave., NW.

The recipient of this year's Literacy Volunteer Award was Scott Stafford, who volunteers with Literacy Volunteers of the National Capital Area (LVA-NCA). The Literacy Volunteer Award recognizes an individual volunteer whose efforts have made a major contribution to a student; an adult, family, or children’s literacy program; or to literacy volunteerism in the District. His fellow nominees included MaryJo DeMatteis, a volunteer with the Washington National Cathedral Literacy Program; Matthew Gladden and Richard Murray, both volunteers at Catholic Charities; Joan Romaine, a volunteer with the Washington Literacy Council; and Gwendolyn Shuler, a volunteer with Teaching for Change.

The Mike Fox Literacy Leader Award recognizes an individual who has used his/her leadership skills in a significant way to improve adult, family, or children's literacy in the District. This year's recipient was Mary Salander, Executive Director and co-founder of Everybody Wins! DC. Her fellow nominees included Clarice Anderson of Living Wages Adult Education Center, Nicole Lubar of the Washington Literacy Council, Irma Rivera of CentroNia, and Louise Wiener of Learning and Leadership in Families.

The Mary Harshaw Outstanding Adult Learner Award recognizes an adult learner who has accomplished significant literacy goals and/or employed new literacy skills on behalf of other adult learners. The recipient of this year's award was Garland Vincent of the Washington Literacy Council. His fellow nominees included Melvin Clark, Fernando Rodriguez, and Carlton Davis of the Washington Literacy Council; Fessahie Gebraghiorghis, Patrick Namwamba, and Jushelle Powell of Catholic Charities; Juan Melendez of the Washington National Cathedral Literacy Program; and Amber Meyer of Literacy Volunteers of the National Capital Area.

This year's program also included a dynamic keynote speech from D.C. Public School Chancellor Michelle Rhee, who spoke eloquently and passionately about her efforts to transform D.C. Public Schools. She also noted the importance of D.C. residents in supporting and advocating for change. State Superintendent of Education Deborah Gist was also in attendance, and offered greetings on behalf of Mayor Adrian M. Fenty. Our third speaker was David Clemons of the Washington Literacy Council, who spoke about his experience in and around adult education over the years, and about the Adult Learners Speakers Bureau.

Congratulations to all the nominees!

A press release can be viewed/downloaded here. [PDF]