Local Earns "Learner of the Year" Award

The Tennessee Association for Adult and Community Education promotes and supports adult education throughout the state of Tennessee by providing advocacy, leadership and professional development in adult education. Each year, they honor leaders in their area of education.

At this year's award ceremony, Hohenwald's own, Kimberly Prouty, proudly accepted the "Tennessee Adult Basic Education Learner of the Year Award" July 20th at the Marriott Convention Center in Chattanooga. The Association recognized Kimberly as "a student who has demonstrated leadership within the adult education learning environment. This award is given to a student who has overcome difficult circumstances in order to pursue their education, has supported other adult learners, while managing their other responsibilites, such as those related to employment, family, or their community.

Ms. Prouty's Adult Education teacher, Gina Haddix, says, "I wanted to spotlight Ms. Prouty's four years of hard work, positive outlook, and perseverance in achieving the goal of earning her diploma. She has worked so hard to overcome more than most people know. I am so proud to be part of her journey."

"I'm truly honored," says Ms. Prouty, "and blessed to have this amazing award. It wasn't the easiest journey for me. I had to face many challenges on the way, but through it all I have been truly blessed. I have accomplished so many of my goals from getting my driver's license, volunteering with my local library, even joining my community farmer's market to sell my handmade jewelry, and artwork. I have made many friends along the way who supported me.

None of this would be possible without all the help and support from my Adult Education Teacher Gina Haddix, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Amy Burns, my parents, family, friends, and to everyone who has offered to help and support me. I will never be able to thank everyone enough for all you have done for me. I'm truly blessed and grateful to you all. My vocational rehabilitation counselor Amy Burns help me write it, I hope that's okay, I never did anything like this before and wanted to make sure I gave you the best information about the ceremony that I could, and she was with me through it all, I was truly grateful to have her with me too."