RICHLAND ONE ADULT ED STUDENT WINS NATIONAL AWARD

At the of age 64, Richland One Adult Education student Sophia House is a soft-spoken, sacrificial mother of six who has faced and overcome many obstacles: a stroke which damaged the left side of her brain; dropping out of middle school at the age of 13 to help her mother support and raise her six siblings; working many different jobs so that all of her siblings, as well as all of her children, could get a college education.

These challenges postponed, but never quenched, her desire to continue her education and ultimately to obtain her GED. Because of her quiet, but steely determination to pursue her education, House was named the 2008 National Dollar General Student of the Year, an award which is sponsored by the ProLiteracy America organization. She will formally receive her award at the National ProLiteracy America conference which will be held October 1-4 in Little Rock, Arkansas. ProLiteracy America is the largest adult literacy organization in the United States.

Over the years while raising her own family, House attended evening adult education classes. After her stroke, she decided to return to school once again. With the help of therapy and sheer determination, she is recovering and re-enrolled in adult education classes last year. She attends classes daily and her educational gains have been extraordinary. Not only has she gained more confidence, but her reading has improved by two grade levels in one year.

"Mrs. House’s teachers describe her as a student who is on time, prepared and often helps other students with their studies," said Ericka Hursey, Richland One’s director of adult education. "It takes a remarkable woman to be deprived of an education early in life and yet instill the importance of education into her siblings and her children who have successful careers of their own. Mrs. House epitomizes the heart of adult education: that it is never too late to go back to school."

For more information please contact the Richland One Office of Communications at 231-7504 or 231-7510.

 

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