2023-10-16 06:32:58
Ling Curtis, center, West Virginia’s “Adult Education Student of the year,” celebrates with her two sons, Arthur, left, and Alan Curtis. (Photo Provided)
WHEELING — A Chinese immigrant and mother who was tragically widowed last year was recently named West Virginia’s Adult Education Student of the Year.
Ling Curtis, now a graduate of the Ohio County Adult Learning Center in Wheeling, received the honor during the state’s Adult Education Conference in Charleston last month.
The West Virginia Department of Education recognizes adult learners with the award for exceptional achievement, dedication, performance and outcomes.
“Curtis found the courage to enroll in adult education, knowing she must now be both mother and father to her sons,” states a release from the Ohio County Adult Learning Center. “Her strong work ethic catapulted her to earning her high school equivalency diploma in four short months.
“With her HiSET (high school equivalency test) diploma in hand, Curtis is continuing her education at West Virginia Northern Community College to pursue a medical career.”
Curtis was born in China, and has lived in America for 12 years and is an American citizen.
Curtis married Arnold Curtis, and the couple had two sons — Alan, 9, and Arthur, 8.
She owned the Sakura Family Restaurant in Bellaire, and was working there during the day on Aug. 2, 2022, when her home in Powhatan Point was destroyed by a fire explosion.
“My husband died four days after the fire, and my boys were severely burned,” Curtis said. “Both boys have burn scars on their face, body, arms, back, and legs. They were hospitalized for two months in Akron Children’s Hospital.
“After they went back to school, I decided I wanted to get my high school diploma. My boys are my powers and strengths to achieve my success.
“I want to help my kids when they need it. Now, I am a full-time mom and part-time college student in WVNCC.”
Curtis decided to enroll in adult education and earned her high school equivalency this past January, knowing she must care for her sons alone, according to the West Virginia Department of Education.
She spoke well of her time in the Ohio County adult education class.
“My favorite subjects were math and science, and English language reading and writing were my biggest problems,” she said. “But my teacher Mrs. Gail (Adams) supported me the whole time, and she told me how to read and write an essay.
“My suggestions are you need to be in the class if you can, work with your teacher, and work through the difficulty.”
Her instructors also expressed respect for Curtis.
“Ling’s determination to succeed was inspiring to us as instructors and to the other students,” Adams said.
Cindy West, also an Ohio County Adult Learning Center instructor, commended Curtis’ determination.
Ling’s work ethic set her apart from the other students with regard to her consistent attendance and the number of hours she dedicated to her online lessons outside of class,” she said.
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