Corinth-Alcorn Literacy Council performing 'Mississippi miracles' of its own

through failures. I saw students who needed more help," she explained. As a tutor, she volunteers her time throughout the year and is committed to helping her students succeed. Cartwright said it takes flexibility, commitment and compassion.

The group relies on Coln to pair each with the "right match." The teachers and students become comfortable with one another and eventually, they become friends. While there is a curriculum in place, filling out an application for a driver's license, jobs or medical documents may become the reading lesson for the day's session.

As students progress in the program, they are re-evaluated to determine their reading level and advance to the next stage of their curriculum.

William McMullen, who has been in the library for a long time, said it is sometimes a challenge to find new students. He explained how some adults may be embarrassed to admit they can't read. He said he had a friend for 43 years who dropped out of school in the 10th grade and even struggled to make it that far in school.

Volunteer group looks to bridge adult-literacy gaps in Alcorn County

By Sabrina Bates

The close of a school year can sometimes bring about daunting statistics as districts and states begin their evaluations of reading proficiency among their students. For more than a decade, the rest of the country had their eyes on Mississippi as nationally, the state continuously ranked among the worst for its reading scores. The country watched and waited while Mississippi school districts and students actually put in the work to rise up from the bottom. Those efforts paid off and in 2022, Mississippi managed to rank 21st in fourth-grade literacy in 2022. It took a decade to get there, but people in Mississippi helped make that "miracle" happen for its students.

That success story is just one of many that helped improve literacy rates in the state. While prospects for reading levels of students continue to grow, there is another group of people who could use a "Mississippi miracle" to improve their literacy skills - adults 18 years and older. It is easy enough to glean statistics for young learners, but how are the stats involving those who have already outgrown their school days? Nationally, the numbers seem to highlight another challenge. Prosperity for America reported earlier this year that 43 million adults in the United States can't read or write above a third-grade level. In the state, only 84 percent of adults are proficient at reading.

In north central Mississippi, there is a group of volunteers who have made it their mission to change those statistics and help their friends and neighbors with the gift of reading.

Since 1989, the Corinth-Alcorn Literacy Council has had a mission of "each one, teach one." The group works with adults, 18 and older, who struggle to read. Through the years, that motto and mission has expanded into helping those with

English as a second language.

When COVID reared its head a few years ago, the one-onone program suffered a state of limbo, as many did across the globe, as lockdowns and social distancing hampered interaction between "students" and their tutors. Fast-forward three years and this small group with big hearts is eager to continue its mission in its communities.

Treasurer and tutor volunteer with the Corinth-Alcorn Literacy Council since 2010, Karen Jones, said she fell in love with the program after her daughter went to college. She has worked with her student, a 70-year-old, for four years to expand his reading and comprehension skills.

Lanell Coln is coordinator for the CALC. Students are tested to determine their current reading level and paired with a trained tutor who begins the work relevant to students' needs. The services are completely confidential and come at no cost to students or volunteer tutors.Tutors work around their students' schedules and students learn at their own pace. The Literacy Council utilizes the "Laubach Way to Reading" curriculum, which was created by Frank Laubach in the 1930s. The Laubach Way is a phonics-based series that has helped teach people to read in more than 300 languages across the globe. Program materials for the CALC are partially-sponsored by United Way. Remaining funds needed are raised through the group's annual dessert-evening fundraiser, "Spring Into Literacy," at Franklin Courtyard. This year's event hosted more than 300 people.

Tutors undergo approximately 16 hours of free training, set over the course of a few weeks or weekends, depending upon scheduling flexibility. Potential tutors don't need a background in education or any certifications before beginning the training - just a willingness to see others advance in their own lives.

Gloria Cartwright is a retired high-school teacher who now tutors with the Council and she'll be the first to say that she didn't teach in elementary education, where a reading curriculum is core for students.

"I did have students who would struggle. I saw them go

"It was hard for him to stand up and say that he couldn't read well," McMullen added.

CALC president Terry Cartwright reiterated the tutor program is private and confidential, so that no student ever has to feel embarrassed about struggling to read.

Volunteer tutors are needed and welcome to sign up to offer free services to adult learners. Those who struggle to read and write are encouraged to meet with Coln from 1-4 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on the second floor of the Corinth Public Library to learn more about the CALC. The library is located at 1023 N. Fillmore St., Corinth, Miss., 38834. Call Coln at 662-286-9759 or email the group at literacy38834@outlook.com to learn more about the Corinth-Alcorn Literacy Council.

Community News Flash is spotlighting one of the group's success stories in this edition. Karen Jones held back tears as she explained how "Lakethie's" climb over reading obstacles is every tutor's goal after they complete their training with their students. Lakethie has fond memories of her tutor through the Corinth-Alcorn Literacy Council, the late Maury Sills. Read her story in this issue.

Seniors Notice More Than Youngsters Do

A new study has shown that we seniors take in more information from the environment. Researchers call it “hyper-encoding,”when we notice more of what’s going on around us and merge it with other information we’re getting at the same time. And we’re 30 percent better at it than our younger counterparts.

Here’s an example:Let’s say you’re with your daughter talking to a friend, Mr. Jones,on the street,listening to what he’s saying. Not only do you listen to him,but you also notice that he’s wearing a red tie and a blue shirt. Later you say to your daughter,“I’d like to buy your father a shirt like Mr. Jones was wearing.”To which your daughter will likely reply:“What shirt? I didn’t notice it.”Not only that, but if you happen to spot that same shirt in a store,you’re more likely to remember where you first saw it. Does this make us wiser? Perhaps. I suspect we’re better at making decisions because we’ve noticed so much more around us over time. We understand cause and effect because we’ve witnessed events and taken in information,and when new information is presented,we can tie it to the previous events we’ve seen.

We’re good at problem solving,likely because of past experience. We take the parts and pieces and put them together in ways that our younger counterparts don’t. We tend to get good grades in classes we take,likely because we remember old information and tie it to the new.

On the other hand,this reduced ability to filter out extraneous information can explain why many of us find television commercials so annoying. Not only do we remember the content of the show we’re watching,but we can also recall the commercial information,repeated over and over.

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions,but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible.

Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service,P.O. Box 536475, Orlando,FL 32853-6475,or send email to columnreply@gmail.com.

Viral Infection Can Cause Dizziness

DEAR DR. DONOHUE:I got a sudden attack of dizziness that landed me in bed. I couldn’t stand. Finally,with the help of my husband,I got to the doctor,who said I had a viral infection called vestibular neuritis. I am taking medicine and am somewhat better,but the dizziness isn’t completely gone. Will it go? When? — L.T.

ANSWER:I have to warn readers that the causes of dizziness are diverse,and vestibular neuritis,while common,is only one of many causes. The vestibule of the inner ear has three fluid-filled canals that work like a carpenter’s balance,that gadget whose center contains a fluid-containing tube with a bubble in it. The balance tells the carpenter if a piece of wood is aligned. The inner ear canals tell people if they are aligned. They send signals to the brain that keep us balanced. A viral infection of those canals or of the nerve that sends signals to the brain makes people feel like they’ve been put in the spin cycle of a washer. Not only are affected people dizzy, they become nauseated and often throw up.

Symptoms of vestibular neuritis lessen in two to three days,but full recovery can take up to six or more weeks.

A cortisone drug taken within the first three days of illness can ease symptoms. And medicines like promethazine relieve dizziness and nausea,but they make some people so drowsy that they prefer the dizziness.

The booklet on dizziness discusses vestibular neuritis as well as the other dizziness causes. Readers can obtain a copy by writing:Dr. Donohue — No. 801W,Box 536475,Orlando,FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Canada with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery. ***

DEAR DR. DONOHUE:Can you give an explanation of and recommendation for cure of a health problem I have? Being over the age of 65 and in reasonably good health,I suffer every winter from painful cracks in my fingertips and the soles of my feet. — R.V.

ANSWER:The cracking indicates your skin is drying out. You can restore moisture to your fingertips with a light coat — just a dab will do you — of petroleum jelly (Vaseline or another moisturizer) before going to bed. Put Band-Aids over your fingertips,and leave them on all night. You can do the same during the day,but it’s a bit inconvenient. In about three days, the cracks should be filling in. Continue this treatment every third or fourth night.

The same thing works for the feet. You don’t use Band-Aids,but you do cover your feet with socks before going to sleep. Don’t apply petroleum jelly during the daytime. It might make you somewhat unsteady. It takes longer for feet to heal.

***

DEAR DR. DONOHUE:Does the consumption of foods packaged or wrapped in aluminum foil pose a risk for contracting or accelerating Alzheimer’s disease? — M.E.

ANSWER:The answer is no. The brains of some Alzheimer’s patients have more than the usual amount of aluminum. Some have interpreted that as indicating aluminum as a cause. Few scientists hold to that theory.

***

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475,Orlando,FL 328536475.