World of Opportunity - News

Congratulations Teressa Tyus, WOO's 41st GED graduate!

Sat, 19 Feb 2005 19:28:51 -0600

August 12, 2004

Congratulations to Teressa Tyus!

It took more than three years, delicately juggling motherhood, childcare, employment, and studies for Teressa Tyus to proudly become WOO's 41st GED graduate. Teressa is the proud mother of Michelle and Daniel, and often brought both children with her to class.

Congratulations to Candace Ferguson! WOOs 40th GED graduate

Sat, 19 Feb 2005 19:25:44 -0600

July 12, 2004

Candace Ferguson, WOO's 40th GED graduate knocked her exam out of the ballpark. "I'm happy. I'm trying to go on to Miles College and then Tuskegee to fulfill my dreams to be a veterinarian. I hope to start my own business.

Dr. James Michael Lee, RIP

Sat, 19 Feb 2005 19:25:39 -0600

July 27, 2004

DR. JAMES MICHAEL LEE, September 29, 1931 - July 15, 2004, RIP

On July 15, 2004, sudden illness struck down our beloved Dr. James Michael Lee, a member of our WOO Community Advisory Board, and a faculty advisor of our program at UAB School of Education.

Congratuations to Alexis Hawkins! WOO's 39th GED graduate

Sat, 19 Feb 2005 19:24:57 -0600

July 05, 2004

When Alexis Hawkins learned that she became WOO's 39th graduate to earn her GED, she said, "To me this means that I have the opportunity to have the diploma which I missed out on
in high school. Getting a GED means a second chance at going to college. I'm thinking about...

LaDerek Riley is WOO's 37th GED graduate! June 10, 2004 LaDerek Riley is WOO's 37th GED graduate!

Sat, 19 Feb 2005 19:23:10 -0600

June 10, 2004

Not even have two weeks have passed since the May 27, 2004, GED graduation ceremony. The stage is practically still warm since more than a hundred GED graduates marched across it proudly wearing cap and gown on May 27th.

WOO GED graduates on stage in cap and gown

Sat, 19 Feb 2005 19:21:03 -0600

May 27, 2004

On Thursday evening, May 27, 2004, ten WOO GED graduate students walked across the stage, along with more than a hundred other graduates from across the county. The event was held at First Baptist Church of Gardendale and sponsored by Jefferson State Community College Jefferson County Adult Education Program.

WOO students attend Church of Reconciler homeless advocacy fundraiser

Sat, 19 Feb 2005 19:16:26 -0600

May 22, 2004

Through the generosity of an anonymous donor, eight WOO students attended the fundraising dinner for Church of Reconciler downtown. The Church of Reconciler is an advocacy ministry which works tirelessly with homeless people in our city.

Six WOO students to be inducted into National Adult Education Honor Society

Sat, 19 Feb 2005 19:15:43 -0600

May 15, 2004

Six WOO GED graduates will be inducted into the National Adult Education Honor Society on Sunday, May 23, 2004 . The ceremony is sponsored by Jefferson State Community College Adult Education and GED program.

James Armstrong and the class action lawsuit to integrate Graymont Elementary School honored at the WOO

Sat, 19 Feb 2005 19:13:29 -0600

August 07, 2003

The ACT-NOW (Advocates for Children & Teachers National Organizing Workshop) 2003 & the Committee to Recognize Courage in Education Award, will be presented to:

Mr. James Armstrong
Monday, August 18, 2003, 11:00 AM
World of Opportunity (WOO)

Each one read one: WOO sets goal to sign up 50 students to obtain library cards

Sat, 19 Feb 2005 19:12:36 -0600

August 06, 2003

The World of Opportunity (WOO) has set a literacy goal to encourage at least 50 students to obtain Birmingham Public Library cards before the year is out. We will aim for 100 more cards in 2004.

World of Opportunity recognized in City of Birmingham, Mayor's Office, Division of Youth Services, Youth First Newsletter

Sat, 19 Feb 2005 19:11:50 -0600

August 05, 2003

We just received the City of Birmingham, Mayor's Office, Division of Youth Services, Youth First, Summer 2003 newsletter. Under Youth Service Providers, and on page 5, there are only five programs which are listed under the heading "Education," and they include:

Broadening our horizons: Thinking smaller

Sat, 19 Feb 2005 19:10:34 -0600

August 01, 2003

During this summer, our students brought their children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and younger sisters and brothers with them. Broken crayons and lego parts are turning up in the most odd places. This has added a whole new spirit to our program. We hope that some of these kids will continue at night when public schools reopens in just one week.

WEB DuBois wrote "The Souls of Black Folk," 100 years ago in 1903

Sat, 19 Feb 2005 19:10:30 -0600

August 04, 2003

This is the centennial year of the publication of WEB DuBois' "The Souls of Black Folks." This anthology was first published in 1903. At the World of Opportunity (WOO) in Birmingham, Alabama, we ordered (thanks to Gloria Pipkin, WOO Advisory Board member from Florida) multiple copies of the $2.00 new paperback edition of the book and we have been studying it together and individually. We are struck by its relevance a full 100 years later. It could have been written yesterday. And, WEB's poetic style is thrilling.

Community Service & Woo

Sat, 19 Feb 2005 19:08:52 -0600

August 01, 2003

The WOO will pay for a student's $40.00 GED exam fee, if that student:

scores a minimum of 490 average on the official half-length GED administered at the WOO
registers to vote if they are 18 or older
applies for a library card
participates in at least six hours of community service

WOO Literacy campaign for our students and our community

Sat, 19 Feb 2005 19:07:08 -0600

August 01, 2003

Thanks to the efforts of WOO Board member, Nancy Ekberg, the WOO has joined the Literacy Providers Council of the Literacy Council of Central Alabama. This puts us in touch with other literacy and GED Programs around the city, as well as this part of the state. The Literacy Council is reorganizing and we hope that WOO students will benefit from a number of their services which include: distribution of children's books, and tutor training.

The WOO is working with a number of adults and young adults who are struggling with literacy skills and have a strong desire to improve their reading capabilities. Consider this an appeal for local volunteers to be matched one-on-one with these students.