Adult reading rallies local support

Thirty-eight teams, composed of competitors ranging from middle school students to business professionals, will face off at the 23rd annual quiz bowl, while anxious bidders will battle for the last cent at a silent auction Monday -- all for the sake of increasing adult literacy.\nVolunteers in Tutoring Adult Learners, which is sponsoring the event, is a community service program offered by the Monroe County Public Library to teach adults how to read in both Bloomington and Ellettsville. Because VITAL is a confidential program, students and tutors are allowed to study without the stigma of social pressures. \nThe quiz bowl and silent auction are annual fund raisers. Last year, VITAL events raised nearly $11,000 for the purchase of educational materials and equipment for its students. \nThe quiz bowl is set up like the game show "Jeopardy." Teams compete in seven rounds until the championship round, after which the winners are awarded a commemorative plaque. Each team had to pay an entry fee of $150 in order to participate in the game. \nBut this is not a regular quiz bowl. Staff and volunteers generated 1,500 questions for the contest. Some of the participants say it can be quite competitive.\n"People train for this all year like the Olympics," said Michael White, director of Community Access Television Services. \nWhite said he will direct the live coverage at the quiz bowl as in past years and will be a participant on the CATS team. \nAs some teams test their trivia knowledge, Monroe County residents will have the opportunity to bid on several auction items. This year's silent auction will consist of 300 donated items provided by celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and Tiger Woods, business owners and even Bloomington locals.\nAl Hite, a former co-director of the quiz bowl and Bloomington resident, has decided to change gears and help with the silent auction this year. He will not only volunteer his time, but also his talent. He has donated a selection of 10 berets and winter hats that he hand-knitted to the silent auction. \n"I've been knitting for 50 years," said Hite, who is very eager to see how much each of his hats will receive next week.\nAccording to statistics collected by VITAL, approximately 15,000 adults in Monroe County are unable to read or write. But VITAL has found a way to combat illiteracy through free one-on-one tutoring. The program also offers tutoring in English as a second language for international adults.\nJackie Lovings, office manager for VITAL and co-director of the quiz bowl said she , is proud of the programs offered. She said she enjoys when the international students start to speak in English and non readers learn basic skills to help them with daily activities. \n"It's great when folks come and tell you they got their (General Education Degree) or driver's license," she said.\nLovings said she really enjoys her job because she meets "people from all walks of life." She also attributes the success of the program to the large number of volunteers. More than 300 pairs -- tutors and pupils -- are VITAL participants. The pairs meet for three hours per week and work as a unit to fulfill the objective for the individual student for that particular week.\nProgram manager Cathy Rogers said VITAL hopes to raise $20,000 from this year's events.\n"Each year, we're getting stronger and stronger," she said. \nThe event will take place at the Monroe County Public Library's auditorium 7 to 9 p.m. on April 10 through 13.