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Summary: We are pleased to recognize Mr. Victor Ponce as an outstanding student at Sonoma Valley Adult School. Mr. Ponce is a native Spanish speaker from Michoacan, Mexico, who has been attending English as a Second Language classes (ESL) at Sonoma Valley Adult School since 2002,
We are pleased to recognize Mr. Victor Ponce as an outstanding student at Sonoma Valley Adult School. Mr. Ponce is a native Spanish speaker from Michoacan, Mexico, who has been attending English as a Second Language classes (ESL) at Sonoma Valley Adult School since 2002, advancing from the beginning level through to our highest level offered.
In addition, Mr. Ponce enrolled in our Adult Secondary Education (ASE) program to study for the GED certificate in 2007. He passed his exam and earned his GED in 2008. He is employed as a handyman/caretaker on a private property here in Sonoma Valley, and he is the proud father of two young daughters, ages 2 ½ years and 4 months. In his free time, Mr. Ponce enjoys playing soccer, dancing, and swimming.
Among his many accomplishments at Sonoma Valley Adult School, Mr. Ponce has enrolled in our Career & Technical Education (CTE) program to study computer software applications. He began this journey during the summer school session in 2008, in our Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL) Introduction to Microsoft Word course.
There he recognized the importance of gaining technology training, and so came back in September and enrolled in our Computer Skills and Business Applications course, which runs 6 hours a week, throughout the school year. According to his teacher Ms. Detrick, he has "developed excellent learning skills and has a high index of persistence."
Recently, he successfully completed the Microsoft Word component, passed the proficiency tests, and received a skill-based certificate in MS Word. Currently, he is studying MS Excel, which is the next step in the progression through the certificate program. Amazingly, Mr. Ponce has done all this as a second language learner.
Mr. Ponce is a model for other adult ESL students to make the leap into mainstream instructional courses as he did. His willingness to challenge himself in this way, despite the language barrier, demonstrates his determination to improve his education. In studying English language and selecting computer technology courses, he shows his awareness of the importance of continuous skill-based development to improve his employability. With his self-motivation and bilingual skills, Mr. Ponce is determining his own future as an outstanding student, desirable employee, and valuable community member.
Mr. Victor Ponce is exactly the type of student that Sonoma Valley Adult School seeks to serve. We are proud to recognize him as Student of the Year 2008-2009.
