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May 25, 2006

Pat McGuckin
Randy Nehrt

Jesse White And Illinois Press Association Shine "Spotlight" On Outstanding Literacy Students And Tutors

SPRINGFIELD — Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White and the Illinois Press Association today announced the winners of the annual Spotlight on Achievement awards recognizing outstanding accomplishments by literacy students and Spotlight on Service awards honoring outstanding contributions made by volunteer tutors.

Secretary White and Robert Pope, Editor of the Springfield State Journal-Register newspaper (representing the IPA) handed out the awards during ceremonies held in Springfield as part of the annual Illinois Family Literacy Conference sponsored by the Illinois Literacy Resource Development Center.

Spotlight on Achievement awards recognizing outstanding accomplishments made by literacy students were given to:

• Valleria Anthony, Blue Gargoyle Community Services, Chicago
• Michael Bassett, Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center, Chicago
• Birgit Battle, Cahokia Area Even Start, Cahokia
• Karen Chapman, Lincoln Land Community College's TEAL Literacy Program, Springfield
• David Cleveland, Albany Park Community Center, Chicago
• Theresa Cooks, Tolton Center, Chicago
• Sim Duffie, De La Salle/Tolton Center, Chicago
• Kathy Hagen, The Literacy Connection, Elgin
• Sandra Handelsman, The Literacy Council, Rockford
• Mary Ann Sanders, Literacy Volunteers of America/Project U.P.W.A.R.D., Peoria

The award-winning students receive $200 from the IPA Foundation, a plaque, a personalized Illinois Blue Book, a bag of donated books and a 6-month newspaper subscription, compliments of the winner's local daily newspaper.

"The hard work, courage and determination exhibited by these students is truly inspirational," said Secretary White. "Many of them overcame great obstacles to enhance their literacy skills. They recognized that having reading, writing, math and language skills is critical to personal and professional growth. I am confident their efforts will set them on the path to greater success as parents, spouses, employees and as productive members of their communities."

Spotlight on Service awards recognizing outstanding tutors of literacy students were given to:

• Sara Baum, Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center, Chicago. Her student, Michael Bassett, is a Spotlight on Achievement winner.
• Bonnie Caulkins, Spoon River College, Canton
• Vicki Fagerstrom, District 214 Community Education, Des Plaines
• Eva Hahn, Frontier Community College, Fairfield
• Florence Johnson, The Literacy Connection, Elgin
• Lorraine Martens, Waubonsee Community College, Aurora
• Barbara Mayers, Blue Gargoyle Community Services, Chicago
• Robert Dale Redman, Lake Land College, Mattoon
• Don Riggenbach, McHenry County College, Crystal Lake
• Bea Swartz, Carl Sandburg College Literacy Coalition, Galesburg

Spotlight on Service winners have a $200 donation from IPA Foundation made in their name to the literacy program for which they volunteer. They also receive a plaque, personalized Illinois Blue Book and six-month newspaper subscription compliments of the winner's local daily newspaper.

"I am proud of our winning tutors for their selflessness and generosity and for caring enough to want to improve the lives of others," White said. "Volunteer tutors are a great example to all of us that we should devote time and effort to making a positive impact in our communities. This year we have the unique opportunity of awarding a Spotlight on Achievement Award and a Spotlight on Service Award to one student/tutor team, which shows how meaningful and effective the volunteer tutor - student relationship can be."

"The Illinois Press Association and our Foundation are honored to join Secretary White in celebrating these outstanding literacy students and volunteer tutors who have improved the quality of their lives forever through literacy or through helping others achieve literacy," said Pope. "The IPA is the largest state press organization in the country with more than 600 member newspapers who are committed to addressing literacy needs in our state. We congratulate these students and tutors for their determination and tremendous courage."

During fiscal year 2005, White said more than 24,000 adult students were served by adult volunteer literacy tutoring projects that received grants from the Secretary of State/Illinois State Library Literacy Office. More than 12,000 volunteer tutors participated in nearly 200 local literacy programs. According to the Points of Light Foundation, the value of a literacy volunteer tutor hour is $18.20. Statewide, volunteer tutors provided more than 491,000 hours of service, valued at almost $9 million.

In determining Spotlight award winners, the Illinois State Library Literacy Office mailed award nomination forms to literacy programs registered with the Illinois Adult Learning Hotline (1-800-321-9511). The Illinois Press Association reviewed the nominations and recommended ten students and ten tutors for the awards. This is the 13th year for Spotlight on Achievement awards, and the 9th year for Spotlight on Service awards.

Profiles of the award recipients