Since 1993, the Exceptional Adult Georgian in Literacy Education (EAGLE) awards program has recognized outstanding adult learners. Students are nominated for the honor by their local literacy instructors and advance through three rounds of competition; the finalists—up to six in each of seven different categories—then compete for top honors. The seven winners are given medals at the awards ceremony held in February. These “Literacy Ambassadors” spend the next year promoting literacy around the state and may continue doing so afterward, if they choose.
The 2001 winners of the EAGLE award are:
- Sarojani Thakoor, 54, is a Valdosta Technical College student who was born in South Africa. After immigrating to the United States, she completed her GED in May of 2000.
- Chandru “Lucky” Mirwani, 39, immigrated to the United States to escape rebel fighting in his native India. He enrolled in Albany Technical College’s GED program and is making substantial progress toward a diploma.
- Judith Bonheur, 30, was born in Haiti and lived in France before moving to Clayton County and deciding to learn English in local adult education programs. She is just at the beginning of the road to her GED diploma.
- Billy Welch Sr., 40, quit school at an early age to help support his family and works as a custodian at a Griffin school. Enrolled in adult education classes at Griffin Technical College, he has passed several sections of the GED.
- Odessa Whiters, 71, of Warner Robins, left school at the age of 15 to marry. For nearly 40 years she helped run the family farm and raised 12 children. After her husband’s recent death, she decided to finally get her diploma with the help of Middle Georgia Technical College.
- Sophia L. Johnson, 56, left high school during the 1960s and worked at a local factory for 25 years before deciding to finish her education. Enrolled in Moultrie Technical College’s GED program, she plans to continue college after obtaining her degree.
- Maria Elsa Croft, 35, was born in Colombia, South America, and worked as an accountant there until 2000, when she moved to California and married. Now living in Warner Robins, Croft is studying for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam and plans to enroll in Middle Georgia Technical College’s accounting program.
— Paul Karr
TOP PHOTO: 2001 Eagle Award winners include
(from left, standing): Sarojani Thakoor, Chandru Mirwani, Judith Bonheur, Billy Welch Sr.; (from left, seated): Odessa Whiters, Sophia L. Johnson, Maria Elsa Croft.
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