Going Places: Senior aims to give back by teaching

By Mark Wolf, Rocky Mountain News October 25, 2004

Holly Pennington found a school that helped her. She hopes someday to return and help others.

She is dyslexic and was reading at a fourth-grade level after completing eighth grade. She entered the F.A.S.T. reading program at Denver Academy, a private school dedicated to students with learning issues, and was amazed at her progress.

"I thought it was going to be like a tutoring thing, but I went from fourth- to 10th-grade reading in two weeks," she said.

"I've learned to deal with my dyslexia. They helped me find a way to get around it….

Now an 18-year-old senior, she carries a 3.8 grade point average and is president of the student body and a three-year varsity volleyball player….

She'll attend the University of Northern Colorado next year to major in education and minor in art and hopes to return to the Denver Academy to teach.

"I think it would be so much fun to teach here. The teachers have so much connection with the students," she said.

"I know the struggles these kids have gone through. I know what they're feeling."

Copyright 2004, Rocky Mountain News. All Rights Reserved

The News Herald; January 3, 200. Dealing with dyslexia; Family brings reading system to state.

The Michigan Catholic Press; May 25, 2007. St. Sebastian says new reading program is “answer to prayers”

Grosse Pointe News; July 19, 2007. Universe creates F.A.S.T. readers

Detroit Free Press News Article; July 22, 2007. Fast and effective; Door to reading is opened for Grosse Pointe Farms