HARD WORK PAYS OFF ROTARY BACKS TUTORING PROGRAM TO AID YOUTHS.

Byline: Steve Carney Staff Writer

NORTH HOLLYWOOD - The pint-sized graduates of the ``I Can Read'' literacy program took away a greater interest in reading and command of English - not to mention the nifty gold-edged certificates and Garfield coloring books they got Saturday.

The 120 students from second through fourth grade were honored for completing a 10-week tutoring program, sponsored by the Rotary Club of North Hollywood. The ceremonies were divided between Fair Avenue Elementary School and the First Presbyterian Church of North Hollywood.

The tutoring program paired 30 future teachers from North Hollywood High School's ABLE Academy with the youngsters, who have limited English skills.

Sergio Carranza, 7, a bashful second-grader from Lankershim Elementary School, said he enjoys reading and liked the program. His mother, Carmen, said she's glad it was available for him.

``I like it. I want him to learn more and get good grades, and be a good student and read more,'' she said, through the translation of her 13- year-old son, Edgar.

And the tutors - who since February have given up their Saturday mornings for the program - gained from the experience, as well.

``I love kids and I love to teach what I know,'' said Ana Nolasco, 17, a North Hollywood senior. She was proud, she said, to see her young charges completing the course. ``It was really nice to see them up on stage getting their diplomas. It was so cute.''

Evelyn Ramirez, 17, said the program has been good experience toward her goal of becoming an elementary school teacher.

``We make it fun for them. We play games, but we make sure they'll get something out of it,'' the North Hollywood senior said. ``It makes you feel so good, especially when they read their sentences and they get excited.''

The Rotary Club, which initiated the program in February, donated the computers the children work with and pay the high-school tutors a stipend. In addition, Rotary members supervise the tutoring sessions. The children in the program are from Fair Avenue, Lankershim and other elementary schools in the North Hollywood area.

``The kids actually learn something,'' Nolasco said. ``When they say, `I can read,' and they show you, it makes you feel good.''

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2 photos

Photo:

(1) Priscilla Mirada, 17, center, works with some of the children who completed the 10-week literacy program.

(2) Children who completed the program show their certificates of achievement. They also received coloring books.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer