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SMART from the heart

Volunteers inspire young readers at Mill Park Elementary

LESLEY EISELE,
FOR THE MID-COUNTY MEMO

Lillian Gordon, left, and Laurel Oakes use SMART at Mill Park Elementary to share their love of reading with elementary students.
Photo Credit: LESLEY EISELE
It’s a simple hour-a-week commitment, but for two volunteers at Mill Park Elementary, 1900 S.E. 117th Ave., there are a lot of heartstrings attached to the SMART program (Start Making A Reader Today).

Lillian Gordon, 83, has been a SMART volunteer for the past seven years at Mill Park, where her own three children attended school. When Gordon was young, she was an avid reader.

“I had no books when I was young,” she said. “So I went to the library to read.” Gordon vividly recalls her older sister reading “Henny Penny” and other classics aloud to her as a child.

Gordon believes that SMART can make a difference for students.

“The one-on-one time for the students is really important,” she said. “I think the thing is if you just show your enjoyment of reading - the kids feel that.”

Gordon’s impact on the Mill Park program was evident as she pointed out one student who she had read with for the past couple years. Later the student came up to Gordon and gave her a hug. “I miss you,” the student said, and then headed down the hall to her classroom.

Laurel Oakes, an accounting technology student at Mt. Hood Community College also has a vibrant story to tell about her involvement with SMART. Oakes first started volunteering in 1994, since her employer Boeing gave employees paid time to volunteer in the community. After 9/11, Oakes was laid off and rehired twice as the company suffered setbacks, but she still made her volunteer time at SMART a priority.

Oakes is pleased by the progress she sees with her students.

“It’s rewarding seeing the children develop reading skills,” she said, “and you just give them that little push.” Oakes says that she herself struggled to learn to read as she moved between six different schools before the third grade. Now she feels passionate about helping young readers.

Oakes challenges her students to read themselves and cheers them on.

“I tell them, ‘Look around. You’re the only student in the room reading aloud - the more you practice, the better you’ll be at it.’”

Gordon and Oakes show no sign of wavering in their commitment to SMART and Mill Park students.

“I’ll keep doing it - it’s great,” said Gordon. She is glad, however, that there are a couple weeks off while school is out. Married in early December, Gordon is happy to spend more time with her new husband, Ivan.

SMART needs more volunteers to read aloud with kindergarten through third grade students for one hour a week during the school year. There are a number of SMART schools in our area including Prescott, Shaver and Sacramento elementary schools in the Parkrose School District and Mill Park in the David Douglas School District.

For more information, call SMART at 503-230-2944, ext. 26, e-mail eisele_smart@ myway.com or visit the Web site at www.getsmartoregon.org.
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