A learner from Castlegar has won the 1996 Superior Propane Learner Award.

Dwayne Schmidt received the award at the Literacy B.C. Annual General Meeting on October 25, 1996 in Vancouver. The $250 annual award is donated by Superior Propane as part of its support for literacy and the PGI Golf Tournament. It is given to an adult learner who has shown substantial or exceptional progress in a literacy program.

Dwayne attended an ABE program at Selkirk College last year to improve his reading and writing. He plans to return to college in January 1997 to achieve his grade 12.

Improving his literacy skills has been important to Dwayne: "Now I read all the time. It's great. It's opened up a lot of doors for me. I've taken steps towards changing my life and walking on my own," he says. Dwayne, who has three young daughters, adds, "it was all for my family. I want to keep progressing for my kids. If they see I can do it, so can they."

In nominating him for the award Dwayne's instructor noted, "He showed great interest in sharing his abilities and life experiences with others in the class... he has a real, determined desire to succeed... and to continuing in the ABE program in order to achieve his goals."

From all of us at Literacy B.C., congratulations, Dwayne! We wish you continued success in your studies.