After 18 months of working with a tutor, feelings of self-worth, self-confidence, and self-esteem replaced Kathy Kelly�s feelings of fear, shyness, and failure.

Kathy recalls that her nephew would come home from school and ask if she knew words: she didn�t. She graduated from high school but said she was pushed through the system and never received the help she needed. Her high school didn�t have the equipment, she said, such as computers, to help her learn. She has since found computers especially useful to her while learning to read.

Kathy came to Reading Connections, in Greensboro, NC, in September 1998. She meets weekly with her tutor and works primarily on reading, but also on writing, math, and computer skills. Her excitement and enthusiasm for every lesson helped her advance nearly two grade levels - from a nonreader to a sixth grade equivalency in 18 months. Initially she attempted to read a 12-16 page fairy tales book in a session. Today, she is able to read a 60-70 page book in a session. Continuing to read is a pleasure; Kathy loves to read fictional and biographical books, and loves to learn.

Taking on a more active role in the community, Kathy is raising awareness about adult literacy in her area. She gave a speech to a group of prospective adult literacy tutors at a community library. Twelve months prior, it would have been difficult for her to talk to strangers about anything, let alone sharing her own personal, and sometimes painful, experiences with them. Although she admitted she was a little nervous that night, she gave a 15-minute speech about her childhood experiences and a moving testimonial about how Reading Connections helped her reading and self-confidence. A constant reminder of the past, Kathy shared, �I kept myself in a closet and felt stupid because I couldn�t read nor write.� Given a standing ovation for the heartfelt words, many people received the message and gave the opportunity for Kathy to speak at other events to share her experience.

Along with being selected to participate in planning sessions for the Literacy 2000/Guilford County Reads Summit, she has attended sessions with other Reading Connections and Guilford Technical Community College students, YMCA, and other partners in the community. She earnestly participates at annual picnics, support group meetings, and other student/tutor events given by the agency. As well as being able to speak to new tutors, Kathy captivated the audience and gave a heart-warming speech at the Annual Awards Dinner in April, when she received the Cynthia E. Doyle Student of the Year Award.

Kathy�s tutor said Kathy is a changed person since coming to Reading Connections. �Kathy has become a confident outspoken advocate for Reading Connections - that�s why she�s student of the year.�

�I feel really good not hearing people putting me down,� Kathy said. �I would make a speech for RC anytime. I want to be a leader for RC.�

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