{"id":22835,"date":"2016-10-20T19:58:35","date_gmt":"2016-10-20T23:58:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=22835"},"modified":"2016-10-20T20:03:37","modified_gmt":"2016-10-21T00:03:37","slug":"httpwww-thevalleyledger-comp1904-443","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=22835","title":{"rendered":"THE LITERACY CENTER HONORS THREE OUTSTANDING ACHIEVERS"},"content":{"rendered":"

Photo – L-R, Eleana Turcios, David Zinni, Tiffany Soto, Avery Smith, Esq. Mary Ann Przekurat<\/span><\/p>\n

Allentown, PA. \u2013 Former students were honored for their significant achievements at The Literacy Center\u2019s annual signature fundraising event, Faces of Literacy, Our Story, Our Students<\/em><\/strong> on Oct. 4th<\/sup> at Muhlenberg College.\u00a0 Muhlenberg\u2019s Wescoe School of Continuing Education was the event\u2019s co-sponsor.\u00a0 The event, originated in 2013, featured a photographic exhibition created by Marco Calderon<\/strong>, himself, a former student at the center, now an accomplished professional photographer who also serves as a member of the board of directors.<\/p>\n

The three chosen students, David Zinni<\/strong>, Eleana Turcios<\/strong> and Tiffany Soto<\/strong> overcame challenging obstacles, persevered through extreme difficulties, and ultimately are leading successful lives, in part through the education and assistance they received from The Literacy Center.\u00a0 Their stories are compelling examples of the power of education, personal determination and strength of character.<\/p>\n

David Zinni<\/u><\/strong> –<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"david-zinni-photo\"<\/p>\n

Trials and tribulations in his life brought David from Conshohocken to The Allentown Rescue Mission in 2006.\u00a0 While living at The Rescue Mission and upon completing two programs there, David was connected with an educational mentor from The Literacy Center.\u00a0 Through hard work and determination he was able to earn his GED, and shortly thereafter began classes at Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC).\u00a0 Ten years after beginning his journey David received an Associates Degree from LCCC and currently serves as the Program Coordinator for The Allentown Rescue Mission, helping people who have walked similar paths as himself.<\/p>\n

In 2016, David was honored by The Literacy Center as the recipient of the Linda V. McCrossan Award, given to people who embody the motivation and tenacity to improve their lives through literacy.<\/p>\n

Eleana Turcios<\/u><\/strong> –
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"eleana\"<\/p>\n

Eleana came to the U.S. from Honduras. She began studying English in Newark, NJ but due to responsibilities at home, curtailed her education. As a single mother with a full time job, her first priority was her family.\u00a0 At the suggestion of a friend she explored the notion of interior and exterior painting as a career. She was hooked from the moment she picked up her first brush.<\/p>\n

In 2001 Eleana relocated to Allentown where she has extended family members residing.\u00a0 Upon arrival in her new hometown, Eleana enrolled in ESL classes at The Literacy Center. She mastered the intermediate level and began searching for meaningful employment in her field.\u00a0\u00a0 Positions with City Line Construction, Drywall Painting of Quakertown and JC Painting followed.\u00a0 While she gained valuable experience she often found herself a victim of discrimination as a woman working in a man\u2019s world.\u00a0 In 2007, she took a leap of faith and made the decision to open her own business, ECT Painting<\/strong>. She is now the proud owner of a thriving enterprise and proclaims: \u201cI will not lose my faith and will continue to grow and prosper.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tiffany Soto \u2013<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"tiffanys-family\"<\/p>\n

Tiffany spent most of her early life in Brooklyn.\u00a0 While a\u00a0teenager she left home and arrived in Allentown. Enrolled in high school and the mother of two children under the age of five,\u00a0it was difficult to\u00a0provide for her children, work, and attend high school.\u00a0 She chose to drop out of high school but was determined to have a career. She enrolled in The Literacy Center\u2019s GED classes, recognizing that education was a key step to any future career path. Tiffany was an excellent and highly motivated student, obtaining\u00a0her GED in five months. Within a few days after graduation she began searching post-secondary education options. She decided that Lincoln Technical Institute\u2019s Medical Assistant Program was the \u201cperfect fit\u201d for her. \u00a0At the top of her class, Tiffany enjoys the challenges and diversity of the medical field and will graduate in December 2016.<\/p>\n

\"Att.
Att. Avery Smith, Congressman Dent, Mary Ann Przekurat, Exec. Director<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Faces of Literacy: Our Story, Our Students<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Faces of Literacy<\/strong> is a unique event highlighting The Literacy Center <\/strong>and the remarkable accomplishments of amazing students.\u00a0 We firmly believe that helping adults improve their literacy education not only opens the door for better employment, but for a happier, more fulfilling life.<\/p>\n

Faces of Literacy <\/strong>features the works of former Literacy Center student and professional photographer, Marco Calderon<\/strong>.\u00a0 All Faces of Literacy <\/strong>photos are displayed at The Center and their stories illustrate how improved literacy skills influence a life, impact a family, build community, inspire a desire for community involvement, and change lives.<\/p>\n

Supporters of literacy education attended the inspiring event, including Congressman Charlie Dent, Avery Smith, Esq., president of the TLC board, Muhlenberg President John Williams, Executive Director MaryAnn Przekurat, Alan and Mary Salinger, Warren & Lynn Armstrong, Judy and Dr. Alan Morrison, Marci Ronald, Brenda Truhe, Jane Hudak, Dean of the Wescoe School, Dr. Nichola & Geoff Gutgold, Marcy McKinney, Rev. William & Linda Maxon, AJ Lemheney and David Sommers. Additional event sponsors included Campbell, Rappold & Yurasits, King, Spry, Herman, Freund and Faul. Music was provided by The Ian Cunningham Trio.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>
\n Information provided by:<\/strong>
\n Christine Baude<\/strong>
\n The Literacy Center<\/strong>
\n 1132 Hamilton Street, Suite 300<\/strong>
\n Allentown, PA 18101-2420<\/strong>
\n Phone 610.435.0680<\/strong>
\n www.TheLiteracyCenter-LV.org<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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