On September 13, 2000 a number of literacy awards were presented at an event sponsored by Canada Post Corporation and the Literacy Development Council of Newfoundland and Labrador. The awards presentation was held at The Fluvarium in St. Johns and representatives from literacy groups, school districts, schools, government, Memorial University, colleges and the general public were in attendance.

Mr. Len Carroll presented the annual Canada Post literacy awards for Newfoundland and Labrador. This year the three awards presented were: Individual Achievement A ward, Educator A ward (see page 9) and the Community Leadership Award.

The Individual Achievement Award, which celebrates the achievements of a learner, was presented to Mr. Thomas Pierce of Fortune. After being a high school dropout who worked in a fish plant, Mr. Pierce began upgrading his reading and writing in Adult Basic Education (ABE) and went on to earn his Grade 12 equivalency diploma. Now he has a college diploma, published two books and was involved in setting up the Burin Peninsula Writing Alliance

The Community Leadership Award, which recognizes non-profit, volunteer and labour organizations that have demonstrated a long term achievement in furthering the cause of literacy, was presented to Teachers on Wheels, St. John's for their 25 years of commitment to literacy in the province.

The Council also presented Teachers on Wheels with a plaque in recognition of their 25 years (1975- 2000) offering literacy services. This adult literacy group focuses on one-to one tutoring with trained tutors. In 1975 they began as an Opportunities For Youth (OFY) project and in 1977 became a volunteer organization.

Earlier the Literacy Development Council presented a similar plaque to Laubach Literacy of Newfoundland and Labrador for their contribution to adult literacy in the province.

The Literacy Development Council also presented literacy awards. A Print Media Award, which recognizes that the print media is very important in promoting a literate culture, was presented to The Western Star newspaper for its history of featuring articles on literacy especially in Western Newfoundland. This is the first time the award was presented and it will be an annual award made by the Council.

The Literacy Development Council wishes to congratulate the recipients of these awards and acknowledge the support of the award sponsors who promote literacy in this province.

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