Sixty-six Year Old Man Proves Its Never too Late to Better Yourself

[army judge]

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD/Gray News) - A Texas man is proving it's never too late to learn to read, and he hopes his story will be inspiring to others.

Servennia Wyatt, 66, has been working on his reading and writing skills since joining Literacy Lubbock in February. He says his progress has been life-changing.

"I learn how to read about four or five books and finish it," Wyatt said. "Makes me feel good."

He meets twice a week with volunteer tutor Beth Gilliams at the Mahon Library. What started as lessons quickly grew into a friendship, Wyatt says.

"I think she's a good teacher, but I didn't think she'll be a teacher and a good friend at the same time," Wyatt said.

Gilliams says she's seen Wyatt grow with every lesson.

"We're starting from the very beginning, and he's done really well," she said. "Every time we practice on our sight words, he gets more and more of them right, and he's getting better sounding out words that he doesn't know already, that he doesn't recognize."

A library security officer recently shared Wyatt's story on social media, catching the attention of Lubbock Mayor Mark McBrayer. The mayor sent Wyatt a letter recognizing his accomplishment of logging more than 100 hours of studying.

"There is nothing quite like seeing the pride of real accomplishment, and that's what I saw on Servennia Wyatt's face. My mayor's hat is off to Literacy Lubbock for their commitment to helping give the priceless gift of literacy to our citizens," McBrayer said.

For Wyatt, the recognition meant everything, and it's only motivated him to keep going.

"I believe if I can do it, they can, too. All you have to do is want to learn and do it and stand up and finish it," he said.

What started with getting his very first library card to children's books then Texas history, Wyatt says every page brings him closer to his dream: to read independently and even someday take on computers.

To learn more about Literacy Lubbock and their impact on the community, visit their website.

Man learning to read at 66 encourages others: ‘All you have to do is want to learn’

The 66-year-old has been working on his reading and writing skills through a literacy program run with the help of volunteers.

www.kwtx.com

 

[adjusterjack]

Finally, something wonderful from Texas.

Besides you, Judge.

 

[Tax Counsel]

When I was in college I worked one summer in the headquarters of a company that owned a chain of convenience stores that are all placed in high rise office buildings and cater to the workers that go in and out the building. I was in the accounting department assisting with the accounts payable. In order for venders to get paid, the store managers had to approve them in a specific manner and on a timely basis. We had a lot of trouble getting the Texas managers to approve them in the required manner. They just did it whatever way they felt like doing it. When we had HQ meeting and this topic came up, the president/CEO just sighed and said "Texas isn't like the rest of the country, they don't follow what the rest of us do and don't seem to much care that it makes things harder for us." That was the first time I'd ever heard a variation of what I've heard countless times since: Texas is a like a whole other country. I've got Texas relatives and they are different from the rest of the family, too. I don't know if somehow living in Texas changes how people see the world or whether people who see the world differently just gravitate to the state. All I know for sure is that it is different; whether for better or worse, I can't say.

 

[army judge]

All I know for sure is that it is different; whether for better or worse, I can't say.

My mother was born in Texas.
My dad was a Virginian, born deep in his beloved Blue Ridge Mountains.
Mom taught my siblings and me, that Texas is a special place. I like to call it unique. After all, The Alamo speaks volumes about Texans, as well as other Americans, just how lucky we are to have been in a nation, growing up in the truly free states of Texas, visiting Virginia and all of mountain folk kin.

To a Texan, its about pride, lineage, and heritage.

As far as I'm concerned, Mom's teachings made me love Texas more.

 

[adjusterjack]

Texas appeared prominently in the Marx Brothers movie, Duck Soup.