Agricultural workers celebrated for English, civics skills in program at World Life Institute and BOCES

Provided photos: These students celebrate their success in learning English in a program based at the World Life Institute.

Press Release, World Life Institute

WATERPORT – Students from Brazil, Indonesia, Ecuador, Colombia and Mexico last week received certificates for their improvement in English at the World Life Institute Education Center on Stillwater Road. There were about 45 students, family members, and friends who attended the evening ceremony.

Dr. Michael Weyrauch, director of Continuing Education O/N BOCES, congratulates agricultural students at the World Life Institute Education Center in Waterport.

Orleans/Niagara BOCES offers English and Civics programs in collaboration with the World Life Institute in Waterport. Dr. Michael Weyrauch, director of Adult Continuing Education of O/N BOCES, congratulated the students and encouraged them to continue taking on new challenges. On hand were ON BOCES Literacy Specialist Susan Diemert and ON BOCES board members Tom Klotzbach and Wayne Wadhams.

Daniel Payan Payan of Plummer Farms Lyndonville shows his certificate of recognition.

There were displays of student work inside the school, including examples of their written work and art projects. PowerPoint presentations were on view in the computer lab. The evening began with a catered meal provided by Mariachi D’Oro restaurant and live music provided by Michael Pavone of Brockport.

Many of the new students work at Intergrow in Albion and other agricultural facilities in Albion, Lyndonville and Waterport.

Julia Stewart-Bittle of Geneseo, right, explains the value of art education while students learn English. Linda Redfield, one of the program’s teachers, is at left.

Julia Stewart-Bittle of Geneseo, representing the CAMPS program of the Genesee Valley Council on the Arts, described the value of art activities as part of the learning experience for these students throughout the ON BOCES program period, from July 2022 to June 2023. Thanks to the  New York State Council on the Arts funding which provides this art education as well as featuring student artwork in exhibits in several venues.

Lorienda Smith was honored as a volunteer teaching and preparing students for the United States citizenship exam.

Alan Nunez of Plummer Farms addresses the audience in English.

One student, Alan Nunez of Plummer Farms in Lyndonville, spoke to the crowd in English expressing his gratitude and English achievements he experienced in the adult program since February 2023.

Nunez also succeeded in getting his New York State driver’s license with the assistance of instructors in the evening program.