Buffey McIntyre
2008 Success Story, Crawford County Family Literacy

Buffey McIntyre struggled in school. Her rocky journey started in the early grades when she "just didn't get it." She finally dropped out of 8th grade in 1987 at the age of 16. She wanted a Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma, but after entering a local adult education program three times, she was still unable to pass the GED® exam. Then, in 1994, she began working with a tutor at Crawford County READ. In and out of the program for years, she seemed more dedicated on each try, but the time just wasn't right. In 2003, Buffey was referred to READ's Family Literacy program, along with her three young children. She was described as being very nervous, putting her hands over her face and not looking anyone in the eye. This new start did not look promising. She was separated from her husband and dealing with many issues from her past. Struggling with drug addiction, she left the program yet again in 2004. However, things began to change for Buffey.

A church support group encouraged her to return to the Family Literacy program, which she did in 2006. The teacher's initial reaction was that Buffey would be a challenge, but she later realized she couldn't have been more wrong. Buffey was ready for a change. She had been off drugs for almost a year. She had gained stability at home and was beginning to take charge of her life. She enthusiastically prepared to take the GED tests, coming to class morning and afternoon. Her curiosity stretched her teacher, and fellow students found her thirst for knowledge contagious. As amazing as these accomplishments are, Buffey's academic success is only part of her success story. With the help of the Family Literacy program, she put together a stable, safe home environment for her children. She engaged them in a positive, uplifting, spiritual setting at church and focused on showing them love. She became an active participant in their learning and demonstrated the importance of education. Buffey continues to be involved in the Family Literacy program and has created a weekly self-esteem workshop for other participants, put the office in order, and volunteers as a tutor. She also has become an advocate, inspiring community leaders and educators. She spoke at a local legislative luncheon and was the keynote speaker at a GED graduation ceremony. A community member almost cried with joy when she ran into Buffey and her family at a restaurant. Buffey was well dressed, her children were well behaved, and the family was talking and laughing around the table. The chaos was gone.

Nominated by Kelli Davis

Titusville Diploma Class

           Jacob Bush was referred to the READ Program in January of 2000.  He was referred by a former tutor in the program, Eileen Gettig, who just happened to attend the same church as Jake and his mother did.  For several years before that, off and on, Eileen had tried to help Jake improve his reading skills, but in 2000 she referred him to us.

            When Jake came to the READ Program in 2000, he was at a fourth-grade reading level.  He started working with Eileen in very basic reading books.  That first experience with READ only lasted a short while, because Jake soon went to Columbus, Ohio.

            As you read this story, you will see that Jake had a problem “sticking to anything” and working on his goals.  At an early age, he had been told in school that he suffered with ADD, but he never really dealt with that issue.

            I actually met Jake for the first time when he returned to the READ Program in July of 2001.  When he read to me, his reading was very choppy, and he used his finger to keep his place.  He didn’t seem to like reading aloud and was very unsure of himself.  He didn’t actually stay in the program with me at that time.  He came back, however, in May of 2002 long enough to actually start tutoring with Eileen again for another short while.

            Eileen soon relocated to Arizona, and Jake moved to Beaver County near Pittsburgh with his sister and worked at Kentucky Fried Chicken.  He left with the promise that he would continue working on his reading, and he did!  He worked with the Adult Literacy Action in Beaver.

            By the time he returned to us again in 2003, he was up to almost a sixth grade reading level.  But, again, Jake didn’t stay.  He moved to Butler where he worked on a vegetable farm until the beginning of 2004.

            When Jake returned to us in 2004, he was finally ready to stay and apply himself.  From 2004 to 2007, Jake’s reading scores bounced around, depending on his state of mind at the time during assessments.  He worked with several tutors during that time also.  He ranged anywhere from a sixth-grade to a ninth-grade reading level.  His goal always was to get his GED, but he couldn’t stay focused enough to work seriously on that goal.

            In September of 2007, Jake went to a doctor and started medication for his Attention Deficit Disorder.  He was truly able to focus completely for the first time.  He was very determined and his determination certainly paid off.

            By the time he took his GED test in December of 2007, Jake’s reading level was up to the 12^th grade reading level.  He passed everything except for the mathematics, but that didn’t deter Jake.  He joined our GED class and retook his test in March of 2008.  He was awarded his GED Diploma on March 28, 2008.

            Jake has since been trained and volunteers as a tutor for the READ Program.  He works full time at Otto Cupler Torpedo Company.  He has also returned to our GED/Diploma Class this month to complete a graduation project and get his high school diploma.

            It took some time, but you know what they say about time flying!  Because of his determination, Jake earned his GED.  I have no doubt that he will reach his next two goals of getting his high school diploma and going on to college.  In my eyes, Jake Bush is truly a success.

Nominated by Kathy Kovach

Titusville Family Literacy

Misty knows how to face her fears.

Her story with the READ Program began in the fall of 2006. Her son, Julian was enrolled in the ECLC for K-4 and Misty learned about Family Literacy from the principal. She needed her GED. That’s a simple start for a beautiful road of growth and inspiration. As it turned out, it wasn’t that simple.

The timing wasn’t right. Misty was undergoing some major transitions in her life and there were too many barriers. She and her family had recently moved from Waynesboro, VA to Pleasantville, PA. “This was one of the scariest experiences of my life…it meant I was giving up everything I’ve ever known.” They lived with her in-laws, didn’t have transportation and were trying to get her husband Ruben’s construction company going. She said that she “was trying to come out of herself more.”

The New Year brought her in for classes. She expressed a fear of not being able to learn and of not being able to stick with her plan to achieve her goal. She had tried to get her GED in Virginia, but it hadn’t worked out. She had not completed schooling past 8^th grade, and was unsure of her abilities. The results of her assessment pleasantly surprised her and then she was ready to go! She faced her fears, worked hard and earned her GED in May of 2007.

It was a fabulous accomplishment; even so, I am most personally inspired by the accomplishments she has made at home. Despite the pressures and fears of starting a new life, the Gillenwater marriage is strong. Their family is united and Misty is constantly taking her family’s needs into consideration. They have their own home now, with a garden and chickens out back. Julian was enrolled in summer activities the School District and YMCA. Transportation isn’t an issue and Quality Construction is doing well.

In return, the family has supported her in her endeavors. Now she is making plans to start her own business and determine what further education would benefit her. While the unknown is a little frightening, the prospects are very exciting. She continues to make goals for her home and family, and works to see them come to fruition. She faces her fears and succeeds. Just talking to her makes me feel good. This confident, sweet, wonderful woman is an inspiration to me, her family and her classmates.

Halina Petrogol

Nominated by Lisa H. Schmalzried

Meadville One-on-One Tutoring Program

Halina came to READ with a strong work history in place.  She had been employed for 38 years at Carlisle Engineered Products, where they made automotive parts, until the company moved to Mexico in January 2006.  Halina was very dedicated to getting her GED.  She had graduated from high school in Poland, but wanted the satisfaction of having an English Diploma so that she could prepare for training.  She thought it would be a good indication of her success in training if she could pass the GED in English.  She came to the program in April of 2006 and had passed her GED by September 9^th of that same year.  She worked in a small group with other learners studying for their GED.  On November 9^th she entered the Health Information Technician program at Tri-State Business Institute.  One and a half years later, Halina came through our doors again, this time to share her success in graduating on May 13, 2008. She was so proud of her accomplishments and truly had paid the price for all of her hard work.

What seems difficult for so many ran like clockwork for Halina.  I’m sure she will tell you it wasn’t easy; she had to put things aside as many successful people do until they meet their goals.  She missed out on family activities because of the promise she made to herself.  It is her persistence to her goals that makes her a double success story, with her first passing the GED and then completing the many long months of her training in health information.  

Halina lives with her husband George in Springboro.  She has two children, a daughter and a son who both have two children, giving Halina four grandkids to boast about.  At last report, Halina was enjoying some time off before getting back into the workforce.  She is a true example of commitment and persistence, both necessary to achieving goals.

Gretchen Sexton

Nominated by Lisa H. Schmalzried

Crawford County READ Intern-- Success Breeds Success!

Gretchen Sexton earned her GED Diploma with the help of the Crawford County READ Program.  As a student at the Laurel Technical Institute, she came back to complete an internship at the same agency that gave its support for her to pass her GED.

Gretchen had a normal upbringing, but somehow found herself becoming a behavior problem in the middle school years, so much in fact that she quit school in 9^th grade.  She recalls having very bad behavior and when asked, she related being frustrated by having poor concentration skills and not “getting it” while everyone else was.  This, most likely, was the spark that began her poor behavior.  (Many children who have behavior issues often have learning difficulties as well and the behavior is used to call attention away from the literacy issues.  It is highly recommended that teachers and school administrators look beyond the behavior to those underlying problems and by solving them will see behavior improve.)

Like most success stories at the READ Program, Gretchen came and went a few times before settling down to reaching her goals.  She attended family literacy classes for a while where she could bring her son Isaak, while she studied.  The last time she enrolled in the program she was matched one-on-one with an Allegheny student, who really made things click with Gretchen.  She began to see a difference in her abilities and attitude.  She was more open to changing her thinking.  She achieved skills, increased her confidence which led to her passing the GED and getting her driver’s permit.  She went on to be accepted at Pitt at Titusville and become one of our Success Stories.  

As often happens in life, plans change and Gretchen became pregnant and had her son Gavin before eventually beginning classes at the Laurel Technical Institute, formerly Business Institute of PA, where she is now pursuing her degree in executive administrative assistant.  She called the office to request an opportunity to do her required internship with the READ Program.  She was warmly welcomed and has been of great help this summer with many projects and various duties.  Gretchen is not afraid to roll up her sleeves and help out with things asked of her.  She is courteous; she asks questions so she has a full understanding of her duties and carries them out speedily and with thoroughness.  She is pleasant and has wonderful people skills, which are necessary to our agency.   

Gretchen’s been on the Dean’s list and the Director’s list and plans to graduate in January of 2009.  She lives in Meadville with her family, which consists of her two sons--Isaak and Gavin, and her fiancé, Nick.  Gretchen spends her free time with her family and friends, going to movies, playing volleyball, and having fun.

These are Gretchen’s thoughts on the program:

”The READ Program has successfully changed my image about the program. When I first started at READ I really didn’t think too much about what they offer. I was frustrated being there and wanted to stop going (Gretchen was referred by another agency.), but I am glad that I stuck through it because I then received my GED, drivers permit and then went on to get my license. I eventually went back to school at the Business Institute of Pennsylvania/Laurel Technical Institute, where I am now doing my internship at the READ Program and will be graduating in January 2009. I just wanted to say that I appreciate the program and I am glad to see that there are many more new programs since I attended there. I also want to give a special thanks to Lisa Schmalzried for making me one of her success stories on two different occasions, as the director she has seen me in many different ways, first as a student, then as a success for receiving my GED, and now as a successful person who will be graduating college.”