BUXTON – A Buxton woman, born in China, achieved a four-year goal last week when she officially became a U.S. citizen.
Now, she’s eager to cast a ballot in next week’s election.
“I want to vote,” said Jinxia Ruan, 44, who came to the United States six years ago unable to speak English.
Last week, Jinxia Ruan took the oath of allegiance administered by Sally Blauvelt, a field director for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, in a ceremony held in the U.S. District Court in Portland.
Ruan had previously passed the citizenship test.
“Very, very rewarding,” said Ruan’s adult education English teacher, Sue Schofield, who attended the ceremony.
Ruan’s success is only one among stories of those striving to realize goals in the growing Bonny Eagle Adult Education program available at Maine School Administrative District 6, which has relocated from its former headquarters in the old Hollis High School to spiffed-up space in the former Jack Memorial Elementary School on Route 112 in Buxton. It shares the building with the Bonny Eagle alternative education program.
A short distance from Bonny Eagle middle and high schools, the adult education building is now called The Learning Center.
“It’s a super building,” Schofield said. “It feels brand new.”
The school district’s adult education program has 50 students working toward diplomas in the General Educational Development program, known by the acronym GED. Last year, 48 students were awarded diplomas. One previous student achieved citizenship through the program and two others are studying now for citizenship.
Ages of its past students have ranged from 18 to 80. According to Cathy Walz, who has been director for eight years, the oldest graduate last year was born in 1941, and the youngest in 1993.
Walz said total adult education enrollment numbers 100 this semester in the academic program, and Ruan is continuing her study there.
“She’s still working to improve her English,” Walz said.
In Hollis, the adult education program was limited to one room in the daytime and five at night. Walz said the program now has five classrooms available day and evening, seven days each week. She said all classrooms have computers and the program has a computer lab.
The former elementary school was refurbished with new carpeting, painting and new closet doors and even a new heating system. Walz complimented the school district’s Facilities Department, headed by Bill Ellis, for its renovation work and said it reflects the district’s commitment to adult education.
Walz said its fresh, spruced-up quarters benefit students.
“You feel better about yourself because you feel valued,” Walz said. “Your education is as important as anyone else’s.”
For students already with high school diplomas and with an eye on college, adult education refresher courses in math and English are available. The adult education program is a satellite site for Southern Maine Community College in South Portland and offers several college courses. But those courses are held in other buildings.
More space allowed for a computer class for beginners to be held during the day. It proved a good fit for senior citizens, as 15 available spots filled rapidly.
Besides academics, a gym provides space for other activities like Tuesday night cardio kickboxing and Thursday night Hula Hoop. The district’s adult education offers a multitude of community enrichment courses like dancing, gardening, local history, cooking and arts and crafts.
The program has eight part-time staff members and three full time, including Walz. Cheryl Grovo is the secretary and Kelley Heath is the academic coordinator.
In a classroom at the school, Ruan recently was prepping with Schofield to recite the oath and the Pledge of Allegiance. When she arrived in the United States, Ruan spoke Cantonese, a regional Chinese language.
Ruan began studying English four years ago in the adult education program.
“She can read English now,” Schofield said recently at the school, and “she speaks more clearly.”
Ruan is a custodian in the new Buxton Center Elementary School and her daughter is a student at the University of Maine.
As the day neared to take the citizenship oath, Ruan said she was excited and nervous. After receiving her citizen’s certificate from Blauvelt, the elated Ruan waved a U.S. flag when she returned to her seat.
Ruan’s husband, Calvin Bangs, attended last week’s citizenship ceremony.
“I’m happy, I’m excited,” he said. “I’m very proud of her.”
Said Schofield, “It’s a huge success story.”
Jinxia Ruan stands among a group Friday taking an oath of
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