Edna Kenney: Canada Post Literacy Award for Individual Achievement

LLC-NS Student Representative Edna Kenney was the 2004 recipient of the Canada Post Literacy Award for Individual Achievement in Nova Scotia. Edna received a new computer system and was honoured at an award ceremony that took place in Dartmouth on September 8.

The following is from the program of the awards ceremony. "When Edna started her literacy journey more than nine years ago, she could not make a grocery list and was very shy. She felt for a long time that she did not have the proper education. This situation changed after Edna moved to the Annapolis Valley, where she began to work with tutors through Laubach Literacy.

Over time, Edna's self-confidence increased dramatically. She became more outgoing and involved in her community, becoming a learner member of Kings County Learning Association, a community literacy organization. She later broadened her involvement by serving as a board member on Literacy Nova Scotia, the provincial literacy coalition. She has also served as a board member for The Movement for Canadian Literacy, a national non-profit organization representing literacy coalitions.

Edna is a true representative of lifelong learning. She is continuing her learning with a new tutor, a retired professor from Acadia University. But as a dedicated volunteer for literacy, Edna has given back as much as she has gained from her tutors over the years."

Edna has served as a valued member of the Board of Directors of LLC-NS and as a member of her local Council, the Kings County Literacy Council. Congratulations are extended to Edna for this well deserved recognition.

The Canada Post Literacy Awards were established more than a decade ago to discover and acknowledge the achievements of Canadians who have made a special effort or an important contribution to literacy. Each year Canada Post recognizes up to 45 individuals and organizations in one of four award categories: Individual Achievement, Educator, Community Leadership and Business Leadership. Nomination forms are usually available in the early spring. For more information look under literacy on their website: www.canadapost.ca.

Student Representative Report
by Edna Kenney

I became a Laubach student in 1993. I have learned a great deal and at the recent national annual general meeting, I was presented with a learning achievement award. Literacy changed my life. The student caucus at the Annual General Meeting talked about several matters. The caucus would like to see student representatives from provincial boards attend national meetings. The student caucus would like the national student representative to be a person that other students can communicate with. I would like to urge tutors and students to attend provincial meetings.

Training

Does your Council require a tutor-training workshop? If so, please note that training requests are to be made to Vic Foster, 36 Clarke Avenue, Sydney, NS B1R 2G7, Telephone 902-562-2573 or Email: vfoster@ns.sympatico.ca