Harry Seda has been selected as LVA�s Student of the Year. He will receive his award at LVA�s National Conference 2000: Show Me the Future! in Kansas City, MO, on Oct. 7.

I am a 56-year-old man who has had learning disabilities since childhood. I overcame some of my deficits by teaching myself how to read and write. I used the world around me to teach me life skills. In 1985 I suffered a traumatic brain injury after I fell from the rafters while building my new pole barn. I went to physical therapy for a year a half. A year later I lost my memory. I went to a psychologist for help. I was tested and deficits were found in processing reading and writing. I sought help from many organizations. I found Literacy Volunteers of America, an organization that helps adults to read and write in a one-to-one setting.

After 10 years of being in the LVA Middletown, Inc., program, the last seven years have been very productive for me. I taught myself how to read and write better by using computer technology, which has opened up a new world for me. Now I am teaching what I have learned to help other students in our community and other states. I try to encourage others to take the first step to reach out in their community. There are all kinds of literacy programs nationwide that can improve their lives. People can better serve their families and communities when they have the necessary skills. This past year has been one of the best years in which I have accomplished many goals and projects for our affiliate, for LVA, and for LVA-New York State.

Last year was my fifth LVA National Conference. I received a scholarship from LVA National and a grant from LVA-New York State to go to the Nashville, TN National Conference for two additional days. I was very excited, and I worked on a booklet to hand out to all students/tutors at all the workshops.

I participated in the GTE/LVA Family Literacy and Technology Institute as a student advocate/facilitator and on the student and technology roundtable group. I presented to three separate groups and spoke about how I learned to use a computer. I gave each attendee a copy of my booklet and the handout of my story.

After the workshop I spoke to David Rosen, director of the Adult Literacy Resource Institute, Boston, MA, who introduced me to Peggy Coyne, director of applied research at CAST. She showed me some new software called eReader which can read the text right off the computer screen of the Internet. After working with the software for 10 minutes I was extremely impressed with it. I was told that they would like me to test it out more at home, which I did, and in return I made a report on it and how good the software would be for other LVA students.

One of my ongoing projects is to write three booklets to teach what I have learned with computer technology and I have presented many workshops using my materials. With the help of my good friend Chip Carlin, associate executive director of LVA-New York State, I was able to present my first workshop in Nashville, TN at last year�s LVA National Conference. During the workshop �Getting Comfortable with Technology,� I taught basic skills, word-processing, and Internet skills. I presented my story about how I learned to use a computer to read and write better. The students seemed to feel very comfortable after I shared my story with them. Some of the students wanted only me to teach them how to use the computer. I made time for each student who needed my help. For this year, the students asked for a workshop on how to use Microsoft Word programs, and I am working on making a booklet. I love teaching what I have learned to other students, and when I see the amazed look on their faces, it is worth it.

The closing of the conference is the hardest thing to face for all the students. We have to leave our new family of students/friends and older students/friends for one more year. For many students this is very hard to do. Some students will write to each other for a short time and others will send e-mail, but is not the same as having a face-to-face friendship.

One of the most important projects that I have undertaken over the last two years I have accomplished as well. In October, we will have a New York State Student Conference in the Hudson Valley Region. The conference will be called "The River of Learning." There will be many workshops for students/tutors and professionals to help all groups meet their goals. I will be presenting the workshop "Getting Comfortable with Computer Technology" as I have done at other conferences. It will be held at Dutchess County Community College on Oct. 21 (Saturday). 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. We are hoping and praying that we have over 150 students and practitioners. Some of the workshops will be: tools and technology; resume and job seeking skills; workforce; how to interview for a job; LD special session; learning styles; LD resources; money management; math skills; self-esteem and good communication; positive thinking; family programs; students on boards; organizing student groups; public speaking; how to lead a workshop; and how to run a good meeting.

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