Leap Into Literacy Spelling Bee Adult Literacy and Youth Apprenticeship benefit from annual spelling bee. By Joshua T. Barnett Nearly a decade ago a spelling bee was founded to support students of all types in Jackson County. The bee covered the gamut, as it offered funds for both students of the Jackson County Adult Learning Center and at Jackson County’s high school. Sandra Fite, a volunteer with the Certified Literate Community Program (CLCP), was heading up a committee to increase literacy in her community. Shane Chaisson, the previous coordinator for the Youth Apprenticeship Program (YAP) at Jackson County Comprehensive High School, sat on this advisory committee with Fite. “She (Chaisson) and I began talking about how we could work on a bee together to promote both YAP and literacy,” said Fite, “and also to give the students an opportunity to promote literacy.” The end result of much planning was the First Annual “Leap into Literacy” Spelling Bee. Complete with frog decorations and community support, the bee has become a major community event drawing many monetary sponsors, volunteers, participants and attendees. “Almost $9,000 was raised last year,” said Amber Casper, YAP coordinator at East Jackson and Jackson County Comprehensive high schools. The money raised goes directly back into the two programs it was originally created to benefit. The Jackson County Adult Learning Center takes its share of the proceeds to afford students, many older in age, classes that help them attain either their GED or also those who just want to increase their reading, writing and math skills. This includes the purchase of books, equipment and computer software not furnished by the state. In addition, the CLCP helps students pay the increasing costs of GED testing assuming they meet certain requirements set forth by the program. “The state recently raised the cost to $95, which many times makes it impossible for some students,” Fite commented. Already, several students have taken advantage of the CLCP’s offer, and Fite says they would like to have more. “Many people, especially older persons, can barely sign their name and have very limited reading and math skills,” said Fite. “They need to learn the basic skills so that they can balance a check book, read their mail and fill out forms rather than have to depend on someone in their family to help them with these tasks.” The Youth Apprenticeship Program is a structured combination of school- and work-based learning in which students are paired with businesses to learn more about careers they are interested in. It also provides the students with income. The program ultimately provides the communities it serves with a competent and competitive workforce. East Jackson and Jackson County Comprehensive high schools combined send several dozen students to work in the community. Casper utilizes the funds YAP receives to “thank businesses for supporting the program and our students, for beginning and end-of-the-year banquets, for recognition of students who reach their 2,000-hour goal and for supplies.” With a common goal in mind—to promote two learning environments—two people began a tradition now in its ninth year. Tens of thousands of dollars have been raised to better a community and graduate many better-prepared students because of this bee. 2008 “Leap Into Literacy” Spelling Bee When: February 12 @ 7 p.m. Spelling Teams & Sponsors Still Needed!
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