NLIS 12
September 13, 2002
(Education)
 


Minister applauds literacy award winners

Education Minister Judy Foote offers her congratulations to the three provincial winners of this year�s Canada Post Literacy Awards, a national awards program which acknowledges exceptional achievement in the area of literacy. The minister attended a ceremony in St. John�s on Thursday, September 12, where the winners were officially presented with their awards.

Kelly Lambert of Shoal Harbour, Janet Skinner of Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Partners in Learning, headquartered in West St. Modeste, Labrador, have all been recognized for their achievements in community-based literacy programs and initiatives.

"The Canada Post Literacy Awards honour individuals and community organizations for their accomplishments in the advancement of literacy - whether it be as learners, teachers or supporters of literacy initiatives," Minister Foote said. "It is both exciting and gratifying to see three of these awards presented in our province this year. It speaks to the commitment of all our literacy partners who have worked tirelessly to achieve a common goal - improving the literacy levels of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador."

Minister Foote noted in particular the work of the Literacy Development Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, which worked closely with Canada Post to coordinate the 2002 awards event in this province.

"I congratulate all the award winners and also take this opportunity to thank the hundreds of professionals and volunteers throughout Newfoundland and Labrador who lend their support and expertise to literacy. The importance of the work they do cannot be over-estimated."

A total of 34 Canada Post Literacy Awards have been announced across the country. The following are the winners from Newfoundland and Labrador:

Individual Achievement Award

Kelly Lambert of Shoal Harbour received the Individual Achievement Award for her accomplishments as a literacy learner. Ms. Lambert entered the Level 11 ABE program at the Clarenville Campus of College of the North Atlantic in 2000. She has since graduated from that program and is currently enrolled in an office administration course in the college.

Educator Award

Janet Skinner of Happy Valley-Goose Bay was honoured with the Educator Award for her work in helping to develop several literacy initiatives and organizations in Labrador, including a northern network that links programs and groups to each other. She has also developed resource materials, teaching tools and community literacy projects for a number of Labrador communities.

Community Leadership Award

Partners in Learning of West St. Modeste, Labrador received the Community Leadership Award for its efforts to foster literacy and life-long learning in the area. Agnes Pike, the organization�s representative at Thursday�s event, accepted a $2,000 award on behalf of the literacy centre.

Meanwhile, Minister Foote noted as well that, in association with Literacy Week (September 8-14), the Literacy Development Council has announced the winner of its Print Media Award for 2002. The Georgian newspaper, which serves the St. George�s-Burgeo region of the province for the Robinson-Blackmore community newspaper chain, has been recognized for its support of community-based literacy efforts in its coverage area.

"The media, particularly the print media, has a vested interest in ensuring we have a literate society - as do we all," Minister Foote noted. "It is therefore encouraging to see The Georgian taking an active role in community initiatives to raise the awareness of the importance of literacy. It is through government, business and community partnerships such as these that real progress is made in the literacy cause."

Photo #1: Frank Connors, left, provincial director of operations with Canada Post, joins 2002 Canada Post Literacy Award Winners Janet Skinner of the Labrador Literacy Information and Action Network (LLIAN), Agnes Pike, representing the Partners in Learning literacy program in West St. Modeste, Labrador, Kelly Lambert of Shoal Harbour, an individual achievement award winner, and Education Minister Judy Foote, during an awards presentation ceremony held September 12 in St. John�s.

Media contact: Nora Daly, Communications, (709) 729-1906.

2002 09 13                                     4:35 p.m.


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