Literacy students honored

Two Queens residents were recently recognized for their new literary skills at the annual Literacy Partners Student and Volunteer Recognition Celebration.
Adam Agostini, 33, of Ridgewood, was among several adult literacy students who read their personal essays, poems and stories aloud at Our Lady of Pompeii Church in Manhattan on June 22. Family, friends and supporters all came to witness their literary accomplishments.
Agostini read his original essay, “My Big Change” about the day he found punk rock music and how it has affected his life. He received a certificate that recognized his accomplishments.
Each student who read at the celebration had the message that it was never to late to become literate.
Darrand Miller, of Jamaica, received the Literacy Partners Student Volunteer Award for his dedication and commitment to achieve his literary goals while helping others do the same. Miller, who was a student in the program for one and a half years, recently obtained his GED.
The adult students represented nearly 2,000 New York City adult students currently registered for Literacy Partners program, the only nationally accredited adult literacy program in the city. The non-profit organization teaches reading and writing to adults and families.
“More than one million New York City adults - or one out of every three adults - are unable to read beyond the fifth grade level,” said Susan A. McLean, Executive Director of Literacy Partners. “It is our mission to guide these adults and enable them to improve their quality of life.”