Adult Learner Wins Premier's Award for Achievement

After 19 years, Julie Champagne went back to school to be a better role model and provider for her children. She graduated with her high school diploma in June and plans to pursue a career in nursing. This week she was announced as the Nova Scotia recipient of the Council of the Federation Literacy Award.

Canada's premiers announced the 13 recipients of the awards at a gathering in Moncton. Ms. Champagne of Pictou was the Nova Scotia winner.

"Strong literacy skills are the key to a better life," said Premier Rodney MacDonald. "I congratulate Ms. Champagne and every adult learner for going back to school to improve their education. You are an important part of the skilled workforce that will keep Nova Scotia's economy strong."

The award was created in 2004 in recognition of the importance of literacy as an essential building block to a vibrant society and economy. Presented in each Canadian province and territory to educators, volunteers, learners, community organizations, non-governmental organizations and businesses, the award recognizes outstanding achievement and excellence in literacy. In Nova Scotia, the award is presented to an outstanding adult learner who has improved his or her literacy skills.

After leaving high school to join the military, Ms. Champagne returned to learning 19 years later after some positive volunteer experiences at her children's school. Coaching the girls basketball team and getting involved in the school's reading program helped her make the decision to attend the New Glasgow Adult High School in 2006. She was one of 450 graduates to receive the Nova Scotia High School Diploma for Adults this year. She also graduated with honours and was class valedictorian.

Ms. Champagne believed getting a job was more important than getting an education. That belief changed once she left the military and had her children. Now that she's earned her high school diploma, she plans to continue her education in the licensed practical nurses program at Nova Scotia Community College in September 2008.

"Not having a high school education really impacted my self-esteem and my job prospects," said Ms. Champagne. "I knew I could do the work, it was just a matter of having the confidence to go back to school. I'm so glad I did -- for me and my children."

Nova Scotia invests more than $6.8 million to offer programs to the more than 4,800 adults supported through Nova Scotia School for Adult Learning. Since its inception six years ago, about 2,400 adult Nova Scotians have graduated with a high school diploma for adults.

The province also invested more than $500,000, in partnership with business and labour groups, to support the 1,200 adults who participated in workplace education programs offered at more than 80 workplaces across the province.