ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, January 6th, 2012 – A passion for reading, a courageous attitude, a tenacious spirit and perseverance are the leading attributes that earned 18 year old Daniela A. St. Marthe, a special needs student at the Elmore Stoutt High School, this year’s British Virgin Islands Reading Council (BVIRC) Literacy Award.
His Excellency the Governor Boyd McCleary, CMG, CVO and Mrs. Jenny McCleary, patrons of the BVIRC, hosted a small reception on behalf of the Council in honour of Ms. St. Marthe’s achievements. They were among her family, friends and well-wishers.
A constant echo throughout the reception was that of Ms. St. Marthe’s persistent attitude despite her challenges with cerebral palsy, a disorder that affects muscle tone, movement, and motor skills as it also creates challenges and other health implications including speech problems and learning disabilities.
Against all odds, Ms. St. Marthe endured her share of challenges including accessing classrooms, one of the places where she said she most enjoys reading. Another complication was recovering from a tragic vehicle accident. However, the support she has received over the years from her parents, Government, family, teachers and students, topped her list of appreciation when she accepted the award and recognised her support system.
“It is with mixed emotions, excitement, love and appreciation that I accept this award and I thank God for allowing me to come this far and to attain an education,” she said.
The BVIRC is a voluntary non-profit organisation of individuals who are concerned with fostering the love of reading and the improvement of reading in the territory. It has also instituted an annual Literacy Award to the most improved learning-disabled student.
The theme of the Council is “Literacy, Our Goal for All”. Their goals include: to encourage the study of reading problems at all educational levels; to study the various factors that influence reading progress; to identify and remediate reading problems; to sponsor seminars for teachers and parents; to assist in the development of adequate teacher training programmes and to promote mutual understanding and cooperation among educators, parents and persons in leadership positions.
Over the years, the Council has been involved in mentoring and/or tutoring adults and children, presenting a book to each new mother at Peebles Hospital, conducting workshops, putting reading tips in the local media and contributing to the annual Reading Is Fun activities.
The BVI Reading Council was founded in 1995. Two years later, the BVIRC became a chartered member of the International Reading Association. The BVIRC has forged a close relationship with the Ministry and Department of Education and Culture, which often sponsors delegates to conferences.
The BVIRC intends to recognise other persons in the community who qualify for this award in future ceremonies.
The members of the BVIRC are President Marsha Frett, Vice President Elena Fahie, Vice President-elect Brenda Lettsome Tye, Recording Secretary Eugenie D. Glasgow, Treasurer Floris Lettsome Lewis and Membership Director Mrs. H. Lynden Smith.
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British Virgin Islands News