Inspired by the determination and resilience demonstrated at the Clarendon County Adult Education winter commencement, State Representative Fawn Pedalino and her husband, Joe Pedalino, have donated 24 laptops to the program.
The generous contribution, made after hearing Director Lara Kolb’s passionate statement at the December 17 event, is intended to address the program’s significant issues.
Kolb discussed the challenges her staff and kids had faced, such as moving to a new building in Turbeville with few resources. “We moved into a building that had nothing, literally nothing,” Kolb stated in her speech.
Despite the challenges, the program is one of the best adult education programs in the state in terms of success rates and growth. However, a paucity of computers had prevented them from properly utilizing their testing center.
The program was promised a cutting-edge facility in May, but by July, they were informed that there was no money in the budget. The district would need to use “lost funds” to establish the computer lab.
While waiting for the promised desktop computers and smart boards, Adult Ed staff tested students individually on a single computer, including Early Childhood program students from the F.E. DuBose Career Center.
Representative Pedalino, who has attended multiple adult education graduations since her cousin graduated in 2022, was moved by Kolb’s words and felt prompted to take action.
“My husband had a set of computers that were meant to be sold, and we thought, ‘Why not just donate them?'” Pedalino spoke.
Two days after the event, on December 19, the Pedalinos personally transported and installed the computers at the program’s Turbeville facility, accompanied by their staff, daughters, and friends Jose and Maureen Calvo.
The grant will improve the program’s ability to serve both students and the larger community, providing a much-needed boost in accessibility and efficiency.
“Adult education holds a special place in my heart,” Pedalino stated. “Each engagement with their program has strengthened my belief in their constant dedication to provide the greatest opportunity for their pupils.
When Dr. Kolb mentioned that they lacked computers, I saw a valuable opportunity to help their cause and meet this crucial need.”
Newly elected State Senator Jeffrey Zell, who also attended the commencement, appreciated the donation and highlighted the importance of adult education in the community.
“Adult Education is an organization of opportunities,” Zell told me. “As Director Kolb mentioned, it provides second chances for some and only opportunities for others.
I am devoted to strengthening Adult Education by providing them with the resources, programs, and financing they need to reach out to more people in the community, particularly those who have been left behind.”
Kolb is now looking forward to January registration as they work toward achieving a fully online application and testing procedure by August 2025. With the new laptops in place, she expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the Pedalinos’ kindness.
“What a gift! Do you know? Who does this? Kolb stated, “She sees and feels that it is all about the students’ needs.” “I just don’t have any words.
How would you thank someone who does that for you? And not for me; while it is good, it is for the program. Ten years from now, we’ll still be utilizing those computers. “How do you thank me for that?”