Student Excels in Hindman Summer Program

Hindman, KY— John Wesley Slone is 6’1” and a freshman at Knott County Central High School. Despite his stature, Wesley was not assured of making it into high school. Thanks to the foresight of a Knott County principal, Wesley has tasted academic success.

A quiet and well-mannered student, Wesley was accustomed to making D’s and F’s in school. He thought that was the best he could do. His teachers said he wouldn’t listen or turn in homework. At the end of the 8th grade, Hindman Elementary principal, Carol Combs, gave Wesley a choice: Attend summer school at Hindman Settlement School or remain another year in the 8th grade.

Wesley’s family applied for a scholarship to the James Still Learning Center’s Summer Tutorial Program for children with dyslexic characteristics and he was accepted. Viewing it as a punishment for not doing better in the 8th grade, Wesley says he dreaded the next six weeks.

“Sometime during the second week, I saw a light come on. I don’t know what the tutors did,” his mom, Bobbie Slone, said. Wesley came home and said, “Mom, I think I’m getting it. I understand how to do it. It’s easy.” He was talking about understanding fractions.
 
“I can tell a difference in his confidence. In the past, he didn’t show an enthusiasm for learning. He knows now he has the potential to learn at higher levels, if he has the right people to teach him. He has had an attitude adjustment! He is so proud of himself. He’s never had anything like this, as far as academic achievement,” said Bobbie Slone.

Wesley would tell his mom what he was learning every week and she got a weekly report about his progress, but she said she didn’t really understand how well he was doing until the end of the program.

At the closing ceremony, when the awards were being handed out, over 40 children had been recognized, but not Wesley. Bobbie Slone leaned over to her husband and said, “I don’t think Wesley is going to win anything.”

The last award was the “Tom Cruise Award” for Outstanding Student, the highest award given at the Summer Tutorial Program awards day. It went to Wesley Slone. His mom says, “It didn’t dawn on me he had won the highest award. I knew he was learning, but I didn’t know it was as good as it was!”

At the time of his initial evaluation, Wesley said, “Math is a problem.” Remarkably, he demonstrated a five-year gain in mathematics computational skills. Wesley also demonstrated a seven and a half-year gain in his ability to “sound out” words and almost a two-year gain in reading comprehension.

Wesley is now attending classes at Knott County Central and says his goal is to some day come back and serve as a tutor in the Settlement School’s summer school program.

There will be a community informational about children struggling in school with reading, writing, math and spelling at the Knott County Public Library (in the Opportunity Center) on Sunday, April 22 at 2:00 p.m. All are welcomed.

The James Still Learning Center will offer its 26th annual Summer Tutorial Program for children with dyslexic characteristics, starting June 18th. For more information, call 606-785-4044.

March 2007