Standing behind the award recipients, School on Wheels Advisory Board Members Karen Roche, Brenda Esposito, Bob Roach, and Board President Paul Jarosz were recognized from the podium for their generous contribution of time and talents to the School on Wheels and Tutors on Wheels programs and their support of the ENGLISH SUCCESS Awards.

Monica Schneider shares a group hug with Sr. Marybeth McDermott, School on Wheels founding director; Barb Berhnard, director of Mission Advancement for the Congregation of St. Joseph; and Paul Jarosz, president of the School on Wheels advisory board.

Recalling lessons in life and language

Reflecting on their life experiences as immigrants, ENGLISH SUCCESS Award recipients wait to receive their plaques. Appearing from left are  Abel Torres, department manager at the LaGrange Country Club; Antonia Bakomitrau-Lekas, librarian of the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center; Josette Mentesana Weber, cultural director of the Italian Cultural Center; and Joanna Bohdziewicz-Borowiec, executive director of the Polish American Association.

English Success Awards Honor the American Dream

The ENGLISH SUCCESS Awards plaques are emblazoned with the American Flag and the message: “Congratulations on Your American Success Story….Learning English is the starting point of American success stories.

Raul Sanchez, a computer network engineer, and Patti Fitzgerald, web designer, received special appreciation plaques for volunteering as computer training instructors of School On Wheel’s new bilingual computer classes.

 

A friendly cocktail reception before the ceremony gave guests an opportunity to mingle and dine on an assortment of delicious tapas and appetizers provided by some of the area’s best dining establishments, including Emilio’s Tapas Restaurants, Marconi Ristorante, La Belle Catering, Café Salsa, Courtright’s Restaurant, Casey’s Market, The Fruit Store, and Kirschbaum’s Bakery.

 

Keynote speaker Tom Miller, an acclaimed travel writer whose books have been published in many languages, discusses his travels and his latest book, How I Learned English, with the honorees and guests at the cocktail reception before the ENGLISH SUCCESS Awards presentation.

Tutors on Wheels director Jeannie Jadran feasts her eyes on the guacamole dip while making her way along the buffet tables featuring appetizing dips, tapas, fruit platters and deserts.