The following relays the story of this year´s award-winning speaker at John Henry Smyth High School. His name and the name of his mother have been withheld by request.[br][br]At four he had nearly drowned in a local swimming pool. As a rescuer fought to revive him, the effects of oxygen deprivation were unmistakable. The African-American child´s skin had turned darkly blue.[br][br]"That affected him through the years," said his mother. She volunteered at his elementary school to be closer to her son and watched as, over time, experts labeled him with a variety of special education classifications. Teachers made suggestions. Doctors prescribed medications. Every kind of expert weighed in. And nothing they suggested seemed to work.[br][br]Slowly, her son slowly slipped away. He suffered depression. His behaviors worsened. He began to get in trouble. Until one day he found himself in a DCE classroom.[br][br]There, a strange and wonderful thing happened. His life turned around. [br][br]The transformation occurred for one reason, his mother said. "He got the help he needed and deserved only when he got here," said his mother. DCE´s teachers understood him, and helped him, she added. Working in tandem with their counterparts in the Department of Juvenile Justice, they monitored him closely and found the right medications and treatment. Soon his grades improved. He joined JROTC. He learned about horticulture.[br][br]Before long, he was excelling.[br][br]Recently he received his diploma, and with it, a newly created award: the Helen A Berlekamp Award of Excellence. The award is given to a student who demonstrates outstanding educational and personal achievement.[br][br]"This young man´s success is an example that rehabilitation is possible when people care about what they do," said DCE´s Faye Walker.[br][br]"Here, what is accomplished is not just educational success. It´s about the success of the whole person," said Hanover JCC Superintendent Sharon Havens. "Our treatment teams include teachers, counselors, security staff and therapist. They all meet to be sure the child is doing what he is supposed to be doing. We have high expectations and a high degree of accountability."

Youth School Graduations[br]Smyth[br]Speaker: Rodney Monroe, City of Richmond Chief of Police[br]Date: June 9th, 2006[br]Diplomas: 1[br]GED: 3[br]Cedar Mountain[br]Speaker: Dr. Glenn DuBois, Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System[br]Date: June 15th, 2006[br]Diplomas: 12[br]GED: 17[br]W. Hamilton Crockford[br]Speaker: Michael Nelms, former kick return specialist for the Washington Redskins, and owner of a Toyota-Chevrolet Dealership in Culpeper.[br]Date: June 8th, 2006[br]Diplomas: 4[br]GED: 0[br]Paul S. Blandford High School and PSB HS Annex held a combined graduation:[br]Speaker: Clarence H. Harrod, Menace to Minister Ministries[br]Date: June 16[br]Diplomas: 5 (4 existing school; 1 annex)[br]GEDs: 27 (22 existing school; 5 annex)[br]J.T. Mastin[br]Speaker: Greg Stallings[br]Date: June 20, 2006[br]Diplomas: 2[br]GED: 4[br]J.T. Mastin Annex[br]Speaker: Greg Stallings[br]Date: June 20, 2006[br]Diplomas: 3[br]GED: 6[br]Thunder Ridge[br]Speaker: Edward Shamby, Assistant Superintendent, Natural Bridge JCC[br]Date: June 23rd, 2006[br]Diplomas:1[br]GED: 4[br][br]Adult School Graduations[br][br]Lawrenceville[br]Speaker: The Honorable Roslyn Tyler, Virginia House of Delegates, 75th District[br]Date: April 21, 2006[br]GED: 40[br]Plumbing: 17[br]Horticulture: 10[br]Computer: 6[br]Electrical: 13[br]Custodial Maintenance: 3[br]Brick Masonry: 8[br]Carpentry: 3[br]Career Readiness Certificates: 8[br]Associates Degree: 1[br]Fluvanna [br]Date: May 5, 2006[br]GED: 31[br]FLP: 32[br]Building Maintenance and Repair: 19[br]Advanced Building Maintenance and Repair: 4[br]Building Maintenance Apprenticeship: 1[br]Business Software: 23[br]Advanced Business Software: 8[br]Computer Assisted Design (CAD): 2[br]Climate Control: 12[br]Cosmetology: 10[br]Electrical: 1[br]Optical Technology: 4[br]Digital Imaging and Print Production: 5[br]Advanced Digital Imaging and Print Production: 2[br]WorkWise 18[br]Marion [br]Speaker: the Honorable, Senator Phillip Puckett of the 38th District of VA[br]Date: May 5th, 2006[br]GED: 5 (3 extra that were released or transferred)[br]ABE (Assorted Levels): 12 (5)[br]FLP: 2 (1)[br]Computer Literacy Program: 4 (1)[br]Wallens Ridge[br]Speaker: Professor, PhD., Ed. Mike Henry at Southside Community College[br]Date: May 11th, 2006 [br]GED: 26[br]Cognitive I: 12[br]CTE Certificates: 13[br]Coffeewood[br]Speaker: Dr. Turnage[br]Date: May 12th, 2006[br]National Literacy Standard: 20[br]Spanish Literacy Program: 3[br]GED: 31[br]Optical Lens Technology: 9[br]Dispensing Opticianry: 1[br]American Board of Opticianry: 3[br]Industrial Machine Mechanic:7[br]INVEST: 13[br]Small Engine Repair: 6[br]Floor Covering: 17[br]Cooks and Bakers Apprenticeship: 3[br]Associates Degree:[br]Germanna Community College: 4[br]Southside CC: 2[br]Greensville[br]Date: May 19, 2006[br]GED: 96[br]FLP: 51[br]Barbering: 1[br]Cabinet Making: 6[br]Communication Arts & Design: 1[br]Computer Repair: 19[br]Custodial Maintenance: 39[br]Electrical: 22[br]HVAC: 8[br]Horticulture: 9[br]Upholstery: 5[br]Associate in Arts and Science Degree: 6[br]Lunenburg[br]Speaker: Roberta Rickers, DCE School Board Member[br]Date: May 26th, 2006[br]GED: 39[br]FLP: 42[br]Building and Maintenance Repair:20[br]Masonry: 6[br]Water/Wastewater Treatment: 33[br]" " and Tech Prep Bridge Program: 8[br]Horticulture: 15[br]Canine Handler: 8[br]Apprenticeship: 10[br]Career Readiness Certificates: 36[br]Plaza Communitarias: 5[br]Now at Other Facilities: 10[br]Associates Degree:[br]Southside CC: 2[br]Mountain Empire CC: 1[br]Halifax Correctional Unit #23[br]Speaker: Judy Philpott, Senior Assistant Superintendent of Adult Academic Programs[br]Date: June 22, 2006[br]GED: 18[br]FLP: 16

DCE Superintendent Walter A. "Mac" McFarlane has been elected to the American Correctional Association´s (ACA) Board of Governors. Since 2002, he has served as a member of the Delegate Assembly in Correctional Education Services (Adult).[br][br]"Clearly it is a credit to Mac´s leadership and his active participation in the American Correctional Association that has led to his nomination and election to the Board of Governors," said Virginia Correctional Association (VCA) President John Taylor.[br][br]"It´s great to have increased representation on the Board by people from Virginia. The Virginia Correctional Association, which for the last two years has been the fastest growing state chapter, supports Mac´s election to the Board with great enthusiasm," Taylor added. "Mac is the president of the VCA and this position in combination with Board of Governors position will be very beneficial to the correctional professionals in Virginia who participate in the ACA."[br][br]In 2001, Mr. McFarlane received recognition from the ACA as "Best in the Business." In 2004, he was voted the VCA president-elect. That same year, he received VCA´s award for career achievement.[br][br]Mr. McFarlane was named DCE´s Superintendent in 1994. Since then, Virginia´s correctional education efforts have become recognized as among the best in the nation.[br][br]Prior to joining DCE, Mr. McFarlane served for 21 years with the Attorney General´s Office having served under seven Attorney Generals. To date, he has been the longest serving Deputy Attorney General. In 1990, he accepted a post with the Governor´s Office. Governor Douglas Wilder appointed him to the post of Chief Counsel and Director of Policy for his Office. He continues to serve as a consulting attorney to the present Governor. [br][br]Since 1977, he has as served as an adjunct professor on the faculty of the University of Richmond School of Continuing Studies, teaching legal writing and litigation. He was appointed to the A.L. Philpott Distinguished Professor Chair at T.C. Williams School of Law for 2003.

Marjorie Charles-Ramos, a GED instructor at John H. Smyth High School in Hanover, has been named a REB Award Finalist for 2006. She was one of 36 finalists selected from over 130 teachers nominated in the Richmond metropolitan area. "Of course, I am honored," said Ms. Ramos, who joined DCE in July 2000.[br][br]"We are very proud to have another teacher receive accolades," said her Principal George Drewry. "Ms. Ramos is outstanding at what she does."[br][br]The REB Award is given by the REB Foundation to honor teaching excellence. Public school teachers in the counties of Hanover, Henrico, Chesterfield and the City of Richmond are eligible. As a finalist, Ms. Ramos is eligible to win a professional enrichment grant of up to $10,000.[br][br]"It´s been one of the largest nomination pools we´ve ever had," said Susan Hallett of the REB Foundation. The winners will be announced during ceremonies November 13 at the Science Museum of Virginia.

Virginia Administrative Support Association, Williamsburg September 20-22[br][br]CEA Region 2 Cumberland, MD October 1-3, 2006[br][br]ProLiteracy Worldwide, Atlanta, GA October 4-7, 2006[br][br]Virginia Correctional Association, Richmond October 30 to November 1[br][br]Virginia Juvenile Justice Association, Richmond November 1-3

Grace Hawkins, principal of W. Hamilton Crockford High School, is DCE´ sixth Administrator of the Year. She has kept her school running smoothly for years by utilizing a caring and knowledgeable approach. This award is not her first honor. Last year, she was chosen as an agency star for her efforts in facilitating Crockford´s volunteer program. She operates with a calm perseverance, and she has demonstrated this on and off her campus. She has served DCE for 31 years and retired on July 31. [br][br]Aurora Mebrahtu is one of the agency´s most effective teachers. She and her students have been recognized for their high passing rates on various tests. She maintains strict discipline and an excellent rapport with her students. She is known for her ability to unlock student ability and potential. This feeds their desire to learn, and ultimately promotes their self worth. Thus, they leave her classroom with a new image and consider themselves "students," many, for the first time in their lives. [br][br]Lydia Vaughan does an excellent job at Crockford Annex. Students do not stay with her long. She takes this as an everyday challenge and meets it with full force. She is a tireless champion of special needs students. Her supervisor has called her "the embodiment of good teaching." The stability she provides often fosters considerable improvements in all aspects of her students´ lives. In 2005, she was named an agency star and she was a finalist for the prestigious R.E.B. Award.[br][br]Willie Thomas, the masonry instructor at Baskerville Correctional Unit, is well-known in the Baskerville community for the numerous service projects he and his students perform. In the DCE family, he may be better known for his teaching excellence. Last year, he was named an agency star for community service. A compilation of the projects he and his students have done over the years, takes up several typed pages. "You can´t say enough good things about the man," said his supervisor, Paul Dianis. [br][br]David Brower excels as a history instructor. His combination of humility and strength make him a quiet leader among the students and staff at J.T. Mastin Annex. He is a role model for both students and teachers. In addition to his teaching excellence, he has made substantial contributions outside the classroom. For instance, he recently chaired a a highly effective school-improvement committee. "Essentially, he is a consummate team player, educator and human being," said his supervisor, Miguel Lopes, Mastin Annex principal.[br][br]Cindy Church was DCE´s first library coordinator. She defined the position. As a result, today, DCE´s libraries are considered state-of-the-art and the agency has received several grants to secure this. "Cindy was so good she went 150 percent beyond the standard that was required!" said her supervisor, Judy Philpott. "Everything she did was a plus!" Cindy left DCE in May to take a new position with the Library of Virginia.[br][br]Doris Henry is a fantastic social studies teacher at Thunder Ridge High School. In recent years her students have always posted a 100 percent pass rate on the SOL test. Ask her supervisor about this lady, and he will positively rave. Said Joe Hawes, "Doris Henry is one of the most outstanding, exceptional teachers I have ever known. Anything you want to say about her that´s positive, you can say it and blame it on me." Sadly, Doris leaves us in August to begin a well-deserved retirement. [br][br]Darlene Maddy is known among her peers at Haynesville Correctional Center as an unassuming, modest and hard working teacher. She created a unique program that has promoted student completion rates. This program, known as Jump Start, runs three nights a week, and Ms. Maddy volunteers to ensure its success. Her supervisor Barna Anyadike sings her praises. "She is not just good, she is very good. She is a team builder and a team worker. She is just super."[br][br]June Pearson is being recognized for her contributions in business education at John Henry Smyth High School. Ms. Pearson is known as a consummate professional who sets high standards for her students. Ms. Pearson emphasizes professionalism and standard business etiquette as a fundamental part of her instruction. She is always mindful of the changing needs of her classroom. Said her Principal George Drewry, "She is a highly organized professional who gets the most out of her students."[br][br]George O. Vogel of John H. Smyth High School is known as "The Storyteller." He combines a passion for history and varied number of life experiences to enliven the lessons he teaches. As a Vietnam War veteran, he is also quite active with the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization and has called upon that organization´s resources to assist his students. He is resourceful and dedicated. He also receives praise for his outstanding teaching abilities and reaching the seemingly unreachable students.[br][br]Sue Kennon developed a most unique parenting program, one that today benefits a considerable number of inmates because it focuses specifically on problems unique to inmate parents. This is believed to be the only program of its kind in the nation. Virginia´s Department of Corrections utilizes it. Other states have borrowed it, and still other states are studying it. Many people appreciate this one-of-a-kind contribution, including the Governor, who named her this spring as a Statewide Agency Star for Innovation.