HALLOWELL – Literacy Volunteers of Maine held the annual statewide meeting of LV Affiliate Membership and Stars in Literacy Celebration at the Maple Hill Bed n’ Breakfast and Conference Center recently.

Numerous LV affiliate representatives from around the state attended the event. Each affiliate committee submitted a student/volunteer tutor pair that the committee felt to be deserving of the Student and Tutor of the Year Award. Stella Hernandez, executive director, and LV Maine Program Coordinators Elaine Tselikis and Abby Embry Turner presented the awards.

Locally, Dottie Richards of Wilton, who has been working toward her GED, accepted the Student of the Year award and Marge Beckler, also of Wilton, who has been a volunteer with LV since 1991, accepted the Tutor of the Year award.

The statewide Lorrayne Carroll Award was presented to Ray Therrien, director of SAD 9 Adult Education services. Established in 2004 by the Literacy Volunteers board of directors, the award honors former president Rayne Carroll. The award is presented to the person who, in the opinion of the selection committee, has advanced adult literacy in Maine, and who personifies strong commitment, leadership and devotion to the cause.

Literacy Volunteers serving Franklin and Somerset counties expanded services in 2005 to reach adult and young students in the Livermore, Livermore Falls, Jay and Wilton communities. It was a result of temporary funding obtained in collaboration with the SAD 36 Adult Education office located in downtown Livermore Falls.

During the course of the past nine months, LV has trained 10 volunteer tutors from Jay, Livermore and Fayette. LV’s presence locally has also been to connect and provide continued support with tutors previously trained. Together the 15 volunteers have provided literacy services to approximately 20 adults. Several local volunteers are also providing services to youth in grades one to 10 in the Jay school system.