EASTON, Pa. — Students, tutors and board members of Adult Skills Quest took a brief break from their busy schedules Thursday to recognize the organization’s achievements and impact on the community.
Community members packed the Pomfret Club in Easton to celebrate Recognition Day, honoring students and their hard work and continued dedication to learning and growing well into adulthood.
Nonprofit ASQ offers students instruction on literacy, English as a second language and GED preparation, in addition to helping participants develop soft skills that can be helpful for employment and further education.
Students honored at the ceremony were Allen Craig Parks, Robert Stanley, Shane Banko, Brandon Davis, Lester Werkheiser, Jhai Hughes, Judy Thomas, Julio Thomas, Jennie Werkheiser, Angel Suarez Rosado and Jason Rivera.
And those honors were well-earned.
Rosado was able to learn to read despite dyslexia; Julio Thomas serves as editor for ASQ’s monthly newsletter; Judy Thomas has seen great success with cooking and meal planning to help in her weight loss journey; and Rivera has secured a job as a busser in Macungie and continues to learn and grow in his position.
And many more are working their way to getting jobs, getting promotions and earning GEDs.
‘We never stop learning'
After 31 years at the head of ASQ, Judy Brunswick said she's still impressed with the accomplishments of her students.
“These are some of many, but these are the ones that have lived through the different aspects of the impact of COVID on life," Brunswick said.
"And they continue to strive with three or four job opportunities that are presented, and several of them have already had promotions in restaurant work to the heavy-duty times, like the weekends.
“So we're very proud of them and their people skills, and we try to help them with that. A lot of them don't need much help with people skills.”
“They’ve got good hearts, and I love bonding with them. I feel so happy. I have been there for a whole year, and my speech been great."Adult Skills Quest student Jason Rivera
Easton Mayor Sal Panto Jr., city Councilman Frank Pintabone and state Rep. Robert Freeman all congratulated the students and staff for their success stories.
“It's a pleasure to be here as in years past, and to recognize our students for their participation in the Adult Skills Quest program," Freeman said before helping to hand out certifications of recognition to the students.
"And as the mayor so aptly put it, we never stop learning. There are always things to achieve and to learn. And I want to thank Judy, the tutors, the board members, for their ongoing support of the program as well. It's so helpful.”
Rivera said he was very thankful for ASQ and the staff.
“They’ve got good hearts, and I love bonding with them,” he said. “I feel so happy. I have been there for a whole year, and my speech [has] been great."
Brunswick also recognized the work of the tutorial staff and specialty tutors for their time and commitment to the program.
‘Really, really want to learn'
But those tutors don’t do it for praise, it’s simply to help others succeed.
Linda Fisher has been a tutor for about 15 years and previously taught at Easton Area School District for 40 years. She also serves as ASQ’s board president.
To see her students recognized and celebrated for their dedication to learning is a true highlight of her work, she said.
“They each have so many strengths. It's just amazing. And to talk to them, they're amazing people. We, as tutors, learn so much from them every day. So we appreciate it. We thank them for being who they are.”Tutor Linda Fisher
“It's an amazing feeling," Fisher said. "After being a teacher for almost 40 years, this group of students are just amazing. They want to be here. They are adults and really, really want to learn.
“Not that my other students didn't, but these students face challenges every day. So the fact that any of us can help them in any minor way, it just gives us so much joy.
"So we really appreciate it. We appreciate all that they have done and all their successes this whole year.”
Brunswick said that while she appreciates having a home for ASQ, they are always on the lookout for those willing to offer their time to help students.
Currently, the group is seeking a “kind-hearted math tutor,” she said.
Rounding out the program, Fisher said the best part of ASQ is not just instructing the students, but learning from them, as well.
“They each have so many strengths. It's just amazing. And to talk to them, they're amazing people,” Fisher said.
“We, as tutors, learn so much from them every day. So we appreciate it. We thank them for being who they are.”
