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THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2008 THE BANKS COUNTY NEWS PAGE 5A Social News Blind student prepares for school months in advance “Twenty-five going on 18“ is how incoming Gainesville State College (GSC) freshman Adonia Martinez, Alto, describes herself. Martinez is one of more than 8,000 students who will begin their fall semester at GSC on Monday, Aug. 18. But, even before the semester got underway, she has made her presence known on the Gainesville campus. Throughout the months of July and August, Martinez has been “study ing” the campus so she will be able to successfully maneuver to and from classes as well as offices and study locations. With the assistance of her mobility coach — Farrell Matthews, who is a blind rehabilitation specialist — and her seeing-eye-dog, Kay, Martinez has spent hours and hours in the heat-of-the-day walking the course in order to become comfortable with her surroundings. Born partially blind, Martinez became completely blind at the age of seven, but she hasn't let this slow her down. She attended the Texas School for the Blind from age seven to 14 and then moved to Alto, where she com pleted the last year of middle school and all four years of high school at Habersham Central, where she was an honor graduate. Martinez remembers, “After high school I was ready to face the world. The summer after I gradu ated, I along with 17 other academic achievement award winners from across the state had the opportunity to meet Cathy Cox. It was an excit ing opportunity for me. “ Martinez currently volunteers sev eral hours each week at a children's shelter in Habersham County where she, “reads to the children, helps them with homework and art proj ects, and spends time with them as an adult who they can confide in and trust.” Of her time working at the shel ter, Martinez says, “you observe so much that touches your heart and you want to help the children." A trained massage therapist, Martinez has decided that she wants to complete her college education and fulfill her dream of becoming an “early childhood education teacher and eventually working in vision education and child psychology.” “As I began researching colleges,” says Martinez, “I would call schools and see how they responded to me as an individual who was visually impaired and how they would help me meet my needs. If they weren’t helpful or encouraging, I would say ‘thank you' and hang up. I knew the first time I talked to the members of the GSC Disability Services staff, that they would help me meet my needs.” “Thanks to the disability services staff and my mobility coach, Mr. Matthews, all of my needs are being met as I prepare to start college,” Martinez said. “Mr. Matthews works with me as I learn my way around campus and then I teach Kay what I have learned by walking the paths, observing the sounds and study ing the tactile maps of the campus and buildings he (Matthews) made for me. Kay has been with me for 14 months and she has given me a greater sense of independence.” Kay is a specially trained black labrador retriever and she is always at Martinez's side. “When you are blind,” Martinez said, “you are a problem solver and you have to figure out what to do with yourself and you need back- Adonia Martinez, Alto, is shown with her guide dog, Kay, at Gainesville State College. up plans. If one thing goes wrong, you have to move to plan B.” The GSC Office of Disability Services has worked closely with Martinez throughout the summer to layout the plans that will help her be a success ful student. Things are not always serious with Martinez. She laughs as she explains, “I love to read! I some times stay up all night if a book is good. I read mysteries and romance novels that I check out from the Athens Special Needs Library either on tape, CD or in Braille books. Oh, and I love the beach where I can take walks and listen to the sounds of the ocean!” Jackson EMC ranked highest in customer satisfaction In a study just released by J.D. Power and Associates, Jackson Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) ranked highest in customer satisfaction among midsize utilities in the South, as well as all utilities in the nation. This marked the first year that Jackson EMC had been included in the study. “We are deeply honored to receive this recognition,” said Randall Pugh, Jackson EMC president/ CEO. “Jackson EMC's employees have a long-standing dedication to provid ing service that exceeds our mem bers’ expectations, whether that means quickly restoring power after a storm, making sure bills are correct, prompt ly handling members' requests, or planning infrastructure additions to ensure adequate power supplies. This award is truly a reflection of not only the effort they put into their jobs, but also the spirit in which they carry out those jobs day in and day out. I am proud to be associated with employ ees who are as committed to customer service excellence as those at Jackson EMC.” The study ranked both large and midsize utilities in the East, Midwest, South and West. Midsize utilities serve 125,000-499,999 residential custom ers, while large utilities serve 500,000 or more customers. Factors examined by the study included power quality and reliability, price, billing and pay ment, corporate citizenship, commu nications and customer service. “Jackson EMC’s focus has never shifted from the day we first powered our lines in 1939, and that focus is pro viding our members with high quality service and reliable, affordable power. Every decision we make is made with our members’ best interests in mind,” said Pugh, “and we truly appreciate this response from our members.” Headquartered in Wesdake Village, Calif., J.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors, including market research, forecasting, performance improve ment, training and customer satisfac tion. The firm's quality and satis faction measurements are based on responses from millions of customers annually. J.D. Power and Associates is a business unit of The McGraw-Hill Companies. Jackson EMC, a cooperative owned by the members it serves, provides electricity and related services to near ly 204,500 meters in 10 Northeast Georgia counties, with offices in Jefferson, Lawrenceville, Gainesville and Neese. To learn more, visit www. jacksonemc.com Pack meeting set Banks County cub scout pack 106 announces its annual back to the pack meeting to be held at the Lake Russell Recreation area in Mt. Airy, Saturday Aug. 23, at 11 a.m. There will be a $4 parking fee per car. For more information, call Jeff Throneberry at 706-654-7296 or Anita Bonds at 678-617-3841. Volunteers needed at Maysville library The Maysville Public Library is seeking volunteers to read to chil dren ages five and under at the library. Anyone interested is asked to stop by the library or call Delana at 706-652-2323. Thinking about a career in Real Estate? Evening classes are starting September 9 for: Real Estate Salesperson at the Knoblock School, LLC 1215 South Elm Street, Commerce next door to Hodsdon Realty You do not have to drive to Atlanta anymore! 706-335-3381 www.knoblockandassoc.com The Knoblock School is a Georgia Licensed Real Estate and Appraisal School PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER 0 Free Life Insurance $100,000 A//premiums returned in 10years Call Henry 1-800-844-3862 pcifs@bellsouth.net Howell Orthodmtus (706) 387-0606 Dr. Emily F. Howell Providing Braces for Children and Adults! FREE Initial Exam (call and mention this ad) "Flexible Interest-Free Payment Plans Available "Convenient Hours (before AND after school hours available) "Most orthodontic insurance plans accepted For more information, visit our website: www.howelloitho.com Conveniently located at: 2614 Highway 129 North in Jefferson, GA (next to Jefferson Pediatrics) Nail Psychdcay Denita Stephens Spa Manicures Spa Pedicures Nail Art Acrylic Nail Enhancements Gel Nail Enhancements Foot Detox Located inside Tangles Totes & Tan 1359 Historic Homer Hwy, Homer, GA 30547 678-617-4319 • 706-677-1555 Save money. Save energy. Get a Right Choice Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Audit HGTV’S home expert Qoir Pat Simpson LEARN MORE AT energystar.gov If you’re remodeling your home, don’t forget the most important part — making your home energy-efficient. Using state-of-the-art energy audit tools, we can determine how to reduce energy costs, increase the comfort of your home and improve the air quality. Watch HGTV’s Pat Simpson explain the process in an online video at jacksonemc.com/rightchoice or call 800-462-3691. Mm I^ight Choice Energy Efficient. Guaranteed. Right Choice. Where comfort lives. jacksonemc.com brought to you exclusively by Jackson EMC