La Luz honors ESL Students

Pride, empowerment and a few tears marked a ceremony for the 46 students who completed English as Second Language (ESL) classes from La Luz Center. “It was truly a family-community celebration,” said Maricarmen Reyes-Larios, who oversees the program, in which classes are held at three locations. “The students were very happy, they were filled with pride.” Students take the classes for better jobs, to help their children with homework, to take a more active role in their community, and to set an example for their families, Reyes-Larios said. Classes are augmented by volunteers, who come to practice conversation and provide individual help. Local ESL classes had been eliminated when Sonoma Valley Adult School lost its funding last year, but La Luz, backed by a grant from the Todd Trust, rescued the program. The cost is $25 per student per semester. The registration date for the spring semester is January 8. For more information call 938.5131.