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BARROW JOURNAL
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2016
CHECK PRESENTATION
Bethlehem Elementary School donated a $1,682.39 check to Adult Literacy Barrow for its read-a-thon. Adult Literacy executive director Ron Saunders
accepts the donation Saturday at the annual Literacy Ball. Photos by Wesleigh Sagon
23rd annual event...
Literacy Ball raises needed funds
By Yesleig'h Sag'on
Photographer
T he 23rd annual Literacy Ball was
held at the Winder Community
Center Saturday evening with more than
285 visitors attending.
The Literacy Ball is a fundraiser to
support the adult learners and to positively
impact the community.
“Adult education is vital to workforce
development in Barrow County, because
it provides an avenue for students to pur
sue higher education and better employ
ment opportunities,” said Lynn Hammond,
retired educator.
Since 1993. more than 10,000 people
have been served in the local adult educa
tion program.
Funds from the Literacy Ball support
dropout prevention efforts. Adult Literacy
instructional support, GED exam schol
arships, family literacy activities, and
English literacy programs.
“The 1990 census reported that only
58% of Barrow County's adult popula
tion had a high school diploma or GED.
The latest census from 2010 reported
that Barrow’s Literacy rate is now 80%,”
said Susan Wages, Adult Literacy Board
chairman. “Since 1993 more than 11,000
adult learners have improved their level
of education through the adult literacy
programs.”
Barrow became a certified literate com
munity in 2003 and now more than 700
students are supported annually. 1300 have
earned their GED and over 20 English
language learners have achieved United
SATURDAY NIGHT GATHERING
Brett Marbut and Alex McWhorter
take in the festivities Saturday at the
Winder Community Center.
States citizenship.
The Winder Campus of Lanier Tech was
also established through the Barrow Coun
ty Literacy effort.
They now offer 54 programs including
degrees, diplomas and certificates with
more than 400 students per year. Bethle
hem Elementary School now offers class
es for BES parents who want to learn
English. Funds raised by Bethlehem Ele
mentary School help support this class.
Contact Ron Saunders, executive direc
tor. for more information at 770-531-3363
or rsaunders@laniertech.edu.
SUPPORTING THE CAUSE
Jennifer Martin and Barbara Smith attended the 23rd annual Literacy Ball at
the Winder Community Center Saturday night.
Barrow County
Leisure Services
2016 Softball & Baseball
Sign-up now for Girls & Boys Ages 4 to 16
Volunteer Head & Asst. Coaches also needed!
Register at the
Leisure Services Center
175 2 nd St. in Winder
8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Weekdays • 770-307-3024
Email mmyers@barrowga.org or scall@barrowga.org
or visit www.facebook.com/BarrowLS for info.
AND WE DANCED
Susan and Don Wages danced at the annual Literacy Ball at the Winder
Community Center Saturday night. Susan is the Adult Literacy Barrow
Board Chairman.
AWARD WINNER
Tetiana Gartbig received an Eagle Award for Top Adult Ed Student during the
Literacy Ball Saturday night.
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