John Key has been named the Karen Claud Literacy Award winner for this year.

This award is given annually to an outstanding person of the Rutherford County community whose untiring efforts have increased opportunities for citizens to enjoy the written word.

This award recognizes commitment to building a coalition of like-minded individuals and groups and commitment to the belief that literacy is the cornerstone of our enduring freedom.

This award was created by the Read To Succeed Council in December 2006 to honor Karen Claud.

Ms. Claud worked as Administrative Assistant for Read To Succeed from September 2003 through the fall of 2004.

She then created and directed the Read To Succeed Adult Literacy Program, managing a large community Council and recruiting and training volunteers to teach adult learners.

In December 2006, Ms. Claud was called upon, without notice, to assume the responsibilities of Executive Director for Read To Succeed.

She assumed the new responsibilities with no hesitation and with full commitment to the initiative.

With minimal regard for her own needs, Ms. Claud worked tirelessly and professionally at all times to administer two large literacy councils, manage numerous events and programs, and even begin new projects.

Her eye was always on creating literacy opportunities in the community.

If she saw something that needed to happen, she made it happen.

It is in this vein that John Key has taken on his work at Community Servants in Smyrna, TN.

Working out of the Wherry Housing Cooperative for the past 10 years with his wife Shirley and many volunteers, John has committed himself to the literacy needs of Rutherford County.

Tutoring adults, running English As  A Second Language classes, and working with families in need has kept John more than busy.

This faith-based non profit provides many resources to the most needy residents of the north part of Rutherford County.

Past recipients of this award are Dr. Linda Arms Gilbert of Murfreesboro City Schools, Cliff Sharp of Greenhouse Ministries, and Dr. Mary Tom Berry (retired MTSU.)

Awards will be presented at Read To Succeed’s annual Volunteer Luncheon, this year being held at Carrabba’s in April.

“The opportunity to gather our volunteers is a very special time for Read To Succeed,” said Ronni Shaw, Read To Succeed’s executive director.

“Our mission to promote literacy in Rutherford County is furthered every time we have a volunteer join our team.

This includes the many teachers and librarians who help coordinate annual events such as Reading in the Schools Day and Read To Bee for their schools. The annual Luncheon is a way to say “Thank-you” to our many volunteers and the awards help highlight some of our volunteers’ very best efforts to help us promote literacy in Rutherford County.”

Award winners:
Tutor of the Year: Ayne Cantrell
Learner of the Year: “Robert”
Family Literacy: Terri Tharp
Council/Board Member of the Year: Scott Walker
Community Volunteer of the Year: Jean Peterson
City School: Mitchell-Nelson Primary
County School: Smyrna Primary
Corporate Sponsor of the Year: DNJ/Gannett
Community Partner of the Year: First Baptist Church
Karen Claud Read To Succeed Literacy Award: John Key of Community Servants

Shining Stars
May: Leslie Walker, Community Volunteer, RTS Council
June: Karen Duvall, ESL instructor at Bradley
July: Christine Mason, Graphic Design Volunteer
August: Glenda Kelly, State Farm Volunteer, RTS Council
September: Patty Metcalf, Linebaugh Library Volunteer, ALP Council
October: Ayne Cantrell, tutor
November: Sandra Pineault, community volunteer, RTS council
December: St. Luke’s Catholic Church ESL volunteers
January: Sarah Dennis, MTSU Social Work Volunteer
February: John Hood, Executive Board member
March: Susan Elkins, ESL teacher, LaVergne Lake
April: Beverly Boulware, Family Literacy Volunteer, MTSU Professor

Read To Succeed, the community literacy collaborative in Rutherford County, will promote reading, with an emphasis on family literacy.