Aquinas Literacy Center (ALC) graduate Virginia Mercado received the Sister Claudia Hinds Scolarship on June 16, 2016, at the center's annual student awards celebration, where nine adult learners celebrated their graduation from Aquinas’ English as a Second Language (ESL) program.
“As a staff, we selected Virginia as the recipient of the Sister Claudia Hinds Scholarship because of her persistence in learning English," said ALC Executive Director Alison Altmeyer. "In her three years at Aquinas, Virginia committed herself to attending one-on-one tutoring sessions, participating in supplemental classes and studying English in our computer learning center. She has truly embraced our mission.”
While dedicating herself to learning English, Virginia volunteered as ALC’s Spanish literacy instructor, helping Aquinas’ lowest-level learners transition to English instruction. In early 2016, Virginia also offered a workshop to her peers about taking advantage of the resources at ALC. “I studied at the Center for three years, and now I feel very confident speaking English," Virginia said. "I’m able to take the bus to my job and I can answer the phone in English and write down the orders [at my job].”
Virginia also encouraged her fellow adult learners in her acceptance speech at the awards celebration: “Do not be afraid to learn, just keep ahead. When you fall, get up. Remember that you can do it!” Virginia plans to use the scholarship to take ESL classes at Arturo Velasquez Institute.
The Sister Claudia Hinds Scholarship, named after the Adrian Dominican Sister who founded ALC, is awarded annually to a graduate who goes above and beyond the average student. For 20 years, Aquinas Literacy Center has served the immigrant community in the McKinley Park neighborhood by offering free, individualized instruction in the English language. For more information about the ALC, call (773) 927-0512 or send email to info@aquinasliteracycenter.org
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