Driven & Accomplished: AACLC’s Bella G. Achieves her Ambitious Goals
Literacy Council student, Bella Gomez, moved to the United States to be with her family in 2023. Originally from Honduras, she came to Maryland for opportunities. While working in downtown Annapolis over the winter months, Bella decided to do something with her spare time. She contacted the Army Recruiting Station in Annapolis and was soon referred to the AACLC for help earning a high school diploma.
Last spring, with tutoring help from Literacy Council volunteer Janice Jobson, Bella earned a GED. Since then, Bella has knocked off many additional goals, and she isn’t slowing down. She studied and qualified to become a Notary Public, has taken courses at Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) in project management and Maryland real estate licensing, and recently completed level II interpreter training at the college for healthcare, education, and social services.
Janice has worked with Bella throughout her pursuit of these goals. “I commend Bella’s attitude for everything she takes on. She’s very positive and is an intuitively skilled learner who also puts the time in,” Janice says of Bella. “She is very disciplined, motivated, and goal oriented.”
Bella has appreciated her tutoring experience. “I think the programs are so helpful. It is a very great opportunity to have a tutor. I feel lucky about it,” she says.
Bella hopes to volunteer in our public schools as an interpreter next academic year. She also aims to enroll in college courses at AACC. Her advice for other Literacy Council learners includes making lists and staying focused on your goals. Do the things you need to do to make progress. Bella also recommends using AI as an aide for creating practice tests, conducting research, or seeking simplified versions of complex instructions.
