AURORA—The Dominican Literacy Center (DLC), here, celebrated graduation season in 17 recent ceremonies. During the ceremonies, the 30 members of the class of 2022 received graduation certificates and gifts. 

 

At each ceremony, Sister Jane Ann Beckman, OP, the DLC’s citizenship program coordinator, welcomed graduates, tutors and guests. 

 

After presenting graduation certificates, she congratulated graduates and asked them to invite prospective students to fall classes starting in September.

 

Alison Brzezinski, tutoring coordinator, introduced graduates and their tutors.

 

She invited graduates to attend a post-graduation conversation class and presented each graduate with a handmade crocheted quilt made by Barb Kramer, a former DLC tutor.

 

Sister Kathleen Ryan, center founder and director, presented each graduate with a fabric corsage handmade by a retired Dominican sister, Henrianne Schmidt, OP,  who is 94 years old. For the past 20 years, she has made DLC corsages at Sacred Heart Convent in Springfield.   

 

The graduation ceremonies  also looked ahead to welcoming a new class of students. Brzezinski announced that 25 tutors will be needed to work one-on-one with the anticipated class of 130 fall students in weekly 90-minute sessions. 

 

The May 24 ceremony included one final gift, this time to the center: a $10,000 check presented to Sister Ryan from Rev. Patrick Fish, pastor at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Aurora.  

 

Rev. Fish said that his church has selected the DLC for a partnership, including the monetary donation and support projects by volunteers. 

 

—Provided by Allan F. Benson.