SCC staff members and others gathered together recently when the SCC Race 4 Literacy car visited campus. Seen left to right, are: Susan McCaskill, vice president of Extension Education and Economic Development; Kay Clemmons, Basic Skills recruitment/ retention specialist; Joan Moulton, director of the Literacy Program; Rita Gregory, Basic Skills assessment and retention specialist; Kip Cochran, owner of the race car; SCC president, Dr. Cecil Groves; and Kay Wolf, Basic Skills assessment and retention specialist.

A bright red race car is the symbol of both the Race for Literacy program at Southwestern Community College and for the sponsors who have backed the program.

The car built by Kip Cochran, owner of Carolina Performance, has brought attention – and support – to the Race 4 Literacy at a number of events in Jackson and Macon counties. The sponsors have made GED/Adult High School scholarships possible.

"Over $4000 was raised this year to assist our GED graduates to further their education at SCC and we could never have done it without the local sponsors,” Joan Moulton, director of the SCC Literacy Program, said.

The race car was central to every public event of the literacy program over the past two years. It drew people to the program’s booths at area festivals and other events at which SCC Literacy representatives provided information on how youths and adults can earn a high school diploma or tune up their reading, writing, math or English-speaking skills in Adult Basic Education classes.

"We are very grateful to Kip Cochran for his commitment to the Race 4 Literacy,” said Rita Gregory, SCC Basic Skills Assessment and Retention specialist. “He gave his time and brought his wonderful race car out for our events. We also want to thank the sponsors in Jackson, Macon and Swain counties who contributed funds to the Race 4 Literacy and to Andy Ashe of Sylva who donated his time and expertise in lettering the names of the sponsors on the race car.”

The sponsors in Jackson, Macon and Swain counties who contributed funds to the Race 4 Literacy included: Allison’s Chevrolet; Macon Funeral Home; Four Seasons Realty; WestCare Health System; David Silverstein, DDS ,PA; Holbert C. Lang II, DDS,PA; Mirror Dance Hair Studio; Eastgate Pharmacy; Bryant Funeral Home; Livingston’s Photo; Holland Construction; Quin Theaters, Inc.; Green’s Auto Service; Melton-Riddle Funeral Home; Sam’s Motor Sales; United Community Bank; Rotary Club of Franklin – DayBreak; Conner Excavating, Rabun Gap, GA.
For more information about the SCC literacy program, phone Moulton at 586-4091, ext. 361, or Gregory at ext. 329. Or visit the SCC web site at www.southwesterncc.edu.

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