Anne Arundel County Literacy Council

Abdul Trent has been working with his tutor, Janet, since December of 2022 at the Maryland City at Russett Library in Laurel. Abdul has a passion for reading that was built by his father’s bookstore in Denver, Colorado. His father often said there are so many books and not enough time to read them all.

Abdul is a strong reader, but complex storylines and novels with characters embodying symbolism often led Abdul to struggle with remembering and comprehension. This was the case over twenty years ago when Abdul picked up “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison for the first time. Now twenty years later, Abdul came to tutoring with the hope of learning techniques for comprehension of Ellison’s enigmatic novel.

Through months of dedication, Janet and Abdul deep dove into the ideas of the novel and worked through the character’s journey, ultimately ending in a twenty-year success story for Abdul.

From day one he told his tutor, Janet, he hoped he could read the novel he remembers seeing in his father’s bookstore. While Abdul’s father has passed from this earth, he left Abdul with the gift of hundreds of books Abdul keeps in his home from his father’s bookstore.

It is with great pride Janet wanted to share his story of completion of the novel after a few months of tutoring and years of longing to understand Ellison’s words. It is important to celebrate such a long-awaited achievement and to remember just how powerful books can be.

Janet and Abdul have now moved on to another novel to keep the momentum in their shared passion for reading. There are so many books to read and not enough time to read them all.

Congratulations to Anne Arundel Community College and Literacy Council student Sonye K. She has completed the nursing program at AACC and is now a graduate Licensed Practical Nurse! Congratulations, and thanks also to tutor Suzy Ochs for her work with Sonye and many other AACLC students over the years.

AACLC student Sherrie Abel passed the written portion of the driver’s license test in May. After consistently studying with her tutor, Janet LaBella, for a year, Sherrie scored 25 out of 25 on her second attempt at the exam, administered by appointment on a computer at the MVA.

“I got on the computer and prayed before I started and did it,” Sherrie said.

To prepare, Sherrie used the Maryland Driver’s Manual, a glossary of terms, and sample practice tests that Janet created. The first time Sherrie took the test, she realized that a lot of the diagrams and pictures that illustrated driving scenarios in the practice test were eliminated. In response, Janet created a Word document without images. The two used it as a practice test, sometimes setting a timer so that Sherrie would feel comfortable taking the timed test at the MVA. Their plan paid off. Sherrie will now enroll in driving lessons before taking the required behind-the-wheel test in the months ahead.

Sherrie explained that getting a driver’s license has been a personal goal for over 20 years. “I am a widow,” she said. Her husband had encouraged her to get her license in case anything happened to him, but Sherrie thought he’d be around forever and had not pursued getting her license until meeting Janet.

“I love it,” Sherrie said of her work with Janet. She plans to continue receiving tutoring so that she can also better her reading.

Sherrie and Janet began working together in the spring of 2021 when Covid precautions were critical. They met outside until they were comfortable moving to an indoor setting. By last fall, they inquired and were welcomed at the Pip Moyer Recreation Center, a convenient location for both.

“Sherrie is an absolute delight,” Janet said. “We have a good time!”