Polk County Literacy Council

Ann Cecil

Ann moved from Georgia to the Mena area with her husband and four-year-old daughter in 2001. Ann was the middle child in a family of seven whose parents were migrant workers. She says the family lived all over the United States following seasonal crops. She and her siblings never went to school. Ann nearly completed the first grade when the family moved again. She then began working in the fields and never went to school again. No value was placed on any kind of education despite the fact that both parents had attended high school (Ann’s two youngest siblings have never seen the inside of a school room). 

Ann came to Polk County Literacy Council in August 2006 and has since made tremendous strides, both academically and in her self-esteem. She has become quite active in community affairs and says now she can accurately read the recipes in her cookbooks. She also helps her now ten-year-old daughter with her homework each night. She is very happy and confident in her new-found skills. Ann has also become a very loud and persistent advocate of young people staying in school. She has influenced several people to stay in high school. 

When TABE tested again in March 2007, Ann scored a 9.9+ grade equivalent in everything except spelling, where she scored 6.5. She has been referred to the Adult Education Department at RMCC in order to work on obtaining her GED. Ann’s long-term goal is to get her GED and then to go on to college. She wants to become either an elementary teacher or an adult education teacher. 

Floyd Frederick

Floyd Frederick, 33, married and the father of two children and five step-children was referred to Polk County Literacy Council (PCLC) for Basic Education in July 2006 by his probation officer. Through the years, this was the third time Probation had referred Floyd. He had never shown any interest whatsoever in learning to read better or even to function at any more than about a third grade level. 

Floyd’s mother, Darlene, states that he had always had a hard time in school. He then dropped out once he got a little older. Having very little self-esteem and absolutely no skills, it was difficult for Floyd to get a decent job (or even any job), so he got money any way he could. Needless to say, he got into trouble with the law on several occasions. 

When Probation referred Floyd this time, he was paired with a newly trained tutor named Wade Evans. Darlene says she had a really difficult time getting Floyd to come to tutoring the first several times. She would always have to bring him and go into the PCLC office with him just to be sure he was following through. What Floyd didn’t count was Wade, who threw his whole heart into the project. 

Floyd has come so far since last July. According to TABE, he has brought his grade equivalency up four grade levels. At this rate he will soon be referred to pre-GED classes! 

Floyd’s mother said that he recently acquired a number of goats and he is constantly going on the internet to look up the best practices for their care. She said that he now reads everything, from TV Guide to the newspaper. His self-esteem has improved 100 percent! 

PCLC is very proud of Floyd; his probation officer and family are especially proud of him. Hats off to Floyd Frederick!

Doyle and Gloria Saunstaire

Doyle has been a friend to Polk County Literacy Council for many years. In the 90s, he served on the board of directors, rode in parades, helped build floats, manned fair booths, promoted literacy and helped PCLC in any way he could. He was also a literacy student and held various jobs, including Aalf’s and Van-Cove School District. Unfortunately Doyle suffers from epilepsy and his seizures became much worse, requiring him to curtail many of his activities. While we always wished the very best for him, his helping hand was greatly missed. He did, however, stay in contact, nearly always coming to our yearly Christmas galas and white elephant sales. 

About three years ago he rekindled his friendship with Gloria; they were married in a private ceremony on December 19, 2005. They both say this has been the happiest three years of their lives! Then, last fall, Doyle was approved for Social Security, enabling them to buy a home of their own in Cove. Doyle’s younger daughter, Kendra, is now in high school and still lives at home. 

In February, both he and Gloria decided they would like to enroll again in tutoring classes. Since then, they have done wonders! Gloria’s goal is to obtain her GED before Kendra graduates from high school. At the rate she is going she is going to beat Kendra by over a year! Their tutor is Tessie Temple of Cove. 

Both Doyle and Gloria like outdoor activies and like to camp. They are also very dedicated to their church, Cove Revival Center. They both like to cook, and Doyle makes a scrumptious Candy Cane cake for our Christmas parties. 

Doyle is currently serving on our board of directors; he is the director from our student population. We are very blessed an pleased to be affiliated with these two great people.