Entries for May 2012

Teachers from both the Crawford County and Fort Smith Adult Education Centers attended an adult education luncheon at the University of Arkansas- Fort Smith today. They learned about new programs for adult students at UAFS and discussed ways to assist our students' transition to college.

Our 38th annual GED graduation was a success.  Over 140 of our 372 GED graduates walked in the special ceremony.  Thanks to all of our partners, staff and students for their hard work.  Pictured is graduate Keyana Lyons receiving the Junior League of Fort Smith scholarship from FSJL volunteers Beashua Spearman and Patty Boschert.

Our 38th annual GED graduation will be held tonight at the University of Arkansas- Fort Smith Stubblefield Center at 7pm.  The photographer will be set up and ready to go by 5pm. All graduates need to arrive no later than 6pm and check in at the concession area.  If you have not picked up your cap and gown yet, you can do so at the ceremony.

Our commencement address will be given by Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel. The ceremony will begin promptly at 7pm and will last just over an hour.

Congratulations to all 372 of our graduates!!

Huy Nguyen is one of our center’s most recent success stories. He and his family came to the United States from Kontum, Vietnam in 2005. Upon arriving in Fort Smith, he attended English classes at the Adult Education Center for five months until he began working at Federal Coach. After the plant closure of Federal Coach, he went to work at Whirlpool. He was laid off last year and has since resumed his studies on a full-time basis.
Huy fulfilled his goal of becoming a citizen on April 13. His hard work and positive attitude helped ensure his success with the various components of the naturalization process. Making the day even more special was that his son, Danh, became a citizen as well.
He says that he likes living in Fort Smith and has made a lot of great friends here. His hobbies include drawing, playing the guitar, reading, and enjoying the nice weather. Huy, we are very proud of you and are happy that we have the opportunity to serve you. 

Our Student of the Month for May is Maily Woolsey. Maily was born in Vientian, Laos. She made her way to America and joined her father in Fort Smith, Arkansas in 1987. After graduating high school from Northside High School, she left Arkansas and relocated to Providence, Rhode Island. In Providence, she attended college for two years, but had to return to Arkansas to care for her mother. After returning to Fort Smith, Maily began working at Whirlpool, got married, and had a daughter. Like many others in the Fort Smith area, she was laid off from Whirlpool and is currently taking advantage of the TAA program to become skilled in other areas so she is more employable.

Maily will be found in many different classrooms of the Fort Smith Adult Education Center. She is brushing up on her math and language skills, working on obtaining a CRC (Career Readiness Certificate), and attending as many computer classes as possible. She has already completed many of the computer classes, including Windows, MS Word, Basic and Intermediate MS Excel, Basic and Intermediate Word, and MS PowerPoint. When not taking advantage of the VOED computer classes, she may also be found in the computer classes designed for ESL students. “I want to learn everything I possibly can while I have the opportunity”, Maily commented.

Maily has been chosen to be Student of the Month, not only because of her dedication and enthusiasm for learning, but for her kindness to all others. Maily is always looking to help her fellow students. She goes out of her way to guide her neighbor students when they need it. Congratulations to Maily! With her great outlook and eagerness to help others, she will do well when she opens the next door of opportunity that she encounters.