nthusiasm infused the 2003 Annual Adult Literacy Celebration held at Atlanta’s Westin Peachtree Plaza in September. More than 1,300 adult literacy professionals, volunteers, policy-makers and business and community leaders attended the three-day event celebrating adult literacy programs in Georgia. Emmy Award-winning journalist Tony Harris, an anchor for CBS 46-Atlanta, kicked off the celebration. After music by public school students and administrators, State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox gave the stirring opening keynote address.

Attendees had many reasons to celebrate this year, among them the forward-thinking move by the Office of Adult Literacy (OAL) to broaden GED testing access by utilizing the Central Library in downtown Atlanta, which makes Georgia the first state in the nation to use a library as an official GED testing site. Mary Kaye Hooker, director, Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System, and Dr. Lamar Veatch, director, Georgia Public Library System (GPLS), explained how the partnership between the OAL and the GPLS broadens GED testing access. “We have been partners in spirit,” noted Dr. Veatch. “We want to be partners in fact.”

“We will work together to make it happen,” promised Hooker.

After William S. Harris Sr., then chairman of the DTAE State Board, thanked the attendees “for caring and making a difference in the lives of thousands of Georgians,” Joan Auchter, executive director of the GED Testing Service, discussed GED trends. “Your energy level, passion and commitment are evident,” Auchter said. “I’m always in awe in Georgia because of the professionalism.”

DTAE Commissioner Dr. Kenneth Breeden singled out OAL Director of Assessment, Evaluation and GED Administrator Kim Lee, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the national GED Testing Service — the first Georgian to win the honor (See Kim Lee article). Dr. Breeden presented Lee with a plaque for distinguished service. “Kim Lee is now the Heisman trophy winner of GED programs,” Breeden said.

Rhubarb Jones, national award-winning radio personality and vice-chairman of the DTAE State Board, praised Lee’s “can-do attitude.” “There’s nothing you cannot do,” Jones told her. A tearful Lee accepted the award in the presence of her proud parents, thanking Dr. Jean DeVard-Kemp, assistant commissioner, Adult Literacy Programs, in an impromptu speech. “I’m thankful to be a
servant,” she said. “I want to be a better servant to the people of Georgia.”

Another adult literacy visionary was recognized posthumously for her outstanding service. Friends praised the late Stewart County adult literacy teacher Chelsia Williams. “Just getting to talk with her made my day an uplifting experience,” said Adult Literacy Director Karl Roberts. “We will always be grateful for the work Chelsia did.”

GED graduates were honored at an awards ceremony emceed by Rhubarb Jones. “They are visionaries because they’ve accomplished a major goal,” said Kim Lee, who presented awards to those with high scores in each category.

Dinner and dancing at the banquet capped off the day. Adult literacy consortiums provided the decorations, from unique centerpieces to displays illustrating the banquet’s theme, “From the Mountains to the Sea.” Consortium IV’s elaborate display depicting aviation in Warner Robins won first place in the decoration contest.

But the celebrants didn’t just dance. They also attended a wide range of educational seminars on topics ranging from legal liability in adult education classrooms to integrating Web-based health resources in the adult literacy curriculum. Many attendees praised the expanding spectrum of topics. Attendees also enjoyed the popular silent and live auctions presided over by spirited auctioneer Patrick Rossiter, who is the Adult Literacy director of the Savannah-Chatham County Board of Education. “The only reason that we have this conference is the silent auction,” joked Dr. DeVard-Kemp. “I love it.” Hot ticket items included trips to exclusive golf retreats and a stunning $1,200 necklace donated by Treasures International and McGraw-Hill Contemporary’s Wendy Tyler. Attendees organized donations ranging from handcrafted baby blankets to limited-edition artwork. All auction proceeds went to the Georgia Fund to benefit the EAGLE program for adult students.

The final day of the celebration honored the partnership between the OAL and Georgia’s communities. Morgan Law, executive director of the Houston County Development Authority, encouraged economic development through training. The key to success “is a trainable workforce,” he said, “and that starts with what you do every day.”

Board of Regents Chancellor Dr. Thomas Meredith gave the final keynote speech. “You’re in the business of changing lives,” he told the crowd. “The fact is,” he said, “you save lives. You’re making a tremendous difference.”

Emphasizing continued collaboration, Dr. Meredith stated, “Partnership is the answer. None of us can do it alone.”

Dr. DeVard-Kemp received a standing ovation at the close of the event. “We are creating the future every day,” she proclaimed at the closing ceremony. Her parting gift to the participants was a water bottle holder in the shape of a jersey. “Be a star player in adult literacy,” she told the crowd. By the end of the celebration, the attendees were already shining.

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