St. Charles student receives Spotlight on Achievement award
Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White along with Dennis DeRossett, executive director of the Illinois Press Association, honored the winners of the 2014 Spotlight on Literacy Awards recognizing outstanding students and volunteer tutors in Illinois literacy programs.
Em Thu Tran from Literacy Volunteers Fox Valley in St. Charles was among the 10 students who received the Spotlight on Achievement Awards. Also, 10 volunteer tutors received Spotlight on Service Awards.
"Every year I look forward to congratulating these outstanding adult learners for their hard work and determination in seeking to obtain lifelong reading and learning skills," White said. "Many of them have overcome enormous difficulties and personal obstacles to reach this level of achievement. I am also very proud to recognize our outstanding volunteer tutors for their dedication and encouragement in helping literacy students achieve their utmost potential."
"The Illinois Press Association is excited to help continue the significant effort to promote literacy in Illinois," DeRossett said. "The men and women honored today have achieved great things in the face of adversity to improve their reading skills. Representing nearly 500 Illinois newspapers, we are proud to join Secretary White in co-sponsoring this event that provides well-deserved recognition to outstanding literacy students and volunteer tutors."
Participants were recognized at a ceremony at the Illinois State Library in Springfield. Spotlight on Achievement winners received $200 from the Illinois Press Association Foundation, a plaque and a personalized Illinois Blue Book. Spotlight on Service winners received $200 from the Illinois Press Association Foundation to be awarded to the literacy program where they volunteer, a plaque and a personalized Illinois Blue Book.
The Secretary of State/Illinois State Literacy Office awards approximately $6 million in grants each year to support Adult, Family and Workplace Literacy programs throughout the state. This year, there are 157 programs serving all regions of Illinois. During fiscal year 2013, 19,392 adult students were served by literacy programs that received grants from Secretary of State/Illinois State Library Literacy Office. Approximately 7,795 tutors volunteered to instruct students.