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IN THIS ISSUE
Front Page
Introducing PASSPORT
Student Turns Lemons
into Lemonade — and Tacos
Adapting Environments to
Meet Special Needs
Success Comes in 3s
The Jacqueline Sue Bates Story
Mill Workers Go Back to School
GED Student
Nominated for
Poet of the Year
Countdown to the New Millenium
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GED Student Nominated
for Poet of the Year
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A childhood love of writing has garnered a Georgia GED student a nomination for "Poet of The Year." Glenna Morton, a student in the Valdosta Technical Institute GED program, received the nomination from the International Society of Poets. The competition for the nomination was held in September at the society's convention in Washington, D.C.
Morton wrote her first poem when she was 10 years old. "Mama saved it and gave it to me about five years ago," she said. When her friend Wendy Bagwell, a singer in a local gospel group died, Glenna felt that she needed to write a poem to honor her memory. "That's when I started writing seriously, when Wendy died," she said. She submitted her poems to the International Society of Poets in 1998 and was published in the National Library of Poetry's Reaching the Summit. "Roses of Life," the published poem, won her the Editor's Choice Award. Other poems by Morton will appear in the society's 1999 publication.
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Glenna Morton received a plaque and
medallion for her nomination
at the Poet of the Year
Competition in Washington D. C.
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Morton was enjoying poetry as a hobby while working at a textile factory in Nashville, Georgia until the plant closed in April. Although she was already a good poet, she found herself in need of a new occupation and would have to do so without the benefit of having completed her high school education. She, along with several of her former coworkers, enrolled in GED classes at the Berrien County Adult Learning Center and began working toward earning their GEDs. The center is operated by Valdosta Technical Institute. After learning about her nomination and reviewing some of the poetry, it was decided by her classmates and teacher that the class would undertake the project of raising the money necessary for Glenna and her husband, Henry, to attend the convention.
With the help of the Fisherman's Fund and community support, the couple traveled to the nation's capital for the poetry convention. Although she did not win, she did well enough to place in the competition.
Said adult literacy teacher, Frederick Hodge, "She was articulate and possessed great social skills. As we began her individualized program, it became apparent that she was going to be a successful student."
In less than three months, Morton was already a Level III student. "I anticipate that she will take and pass the GED tests in time for her to enroll in Valdosta Technical Institute winter quarter," Hodge said. "She will be one of the many former textile plant workers to receive their GEDs through the Berrien County program," he said. "All of them are hard working and attend class regularly. It is a joy to teach them. I believe they are the core of what adult literacy is all about."
Alvin Payton
Full-Time Literacy Teacher
Valdosta Technical Institute
Valdosta, Georgia
SDA 35
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