Billie Jo Gregory has passed the first test of becoming her children's first teacher.

The Covington mother of four has just completed a literacy program with two of her children; Susan, 7, and Stephen, 4.

They participated in the Kenton County Family Literacy program and have won a computer.

"I am excited about winning the computer, but the big excitement is that it means so much for my children,'' Gregory said. "They have a chance to get started and learn a lot about computers. I don't have all the equipment I need to go with the computer, but this is a start.''

Steven and Susan Gregory play word games on the family's computer Friday in their Covington home. The kids, along with their mom, Billie Jo Gregory, have been participating in the Kenton County Family Literacy program since 2003. The Enquirer/GARY LANDERS

Devon Fluty, director of the Kenton County Family Literacy program, said parents involved in the program may win a computer by completing 30 hours in the program and meeting other requirements,

"From the very beginning Jo was consistent in her attendance,'' Fluty said. "She and her children started last July. This program is designed to help break the cycle of under-education in families, by helping parents achieve their educational and career goals.''

It is designed to help parents help their children succeed in school by teaching parents how to make the home a successful learning environment, Fluty said.

"We are dealing with the children's first teacher and it is important to establish a learning environment. In the computer age, a computer is key to establishing that environment,'' Fluty said.

Upward Bound leader

Nikela Owens of Fort Thomas will not only be involved in getting children to college, but helping them to get out of college by graduating.

Owens has just been appointed director of the Upward Bound program at the College of Mount St. Joseph.

As Owens explains, Upward Bound is a pre-college program, designed to enhance motivation, strengthen academic skills and provide development for students in the Cincinnati Public School District to ensure their success in high school and college.

Owens was program coordinator for the Office of Minority Affairs Young Scholars Program through Ohio State University's satellite office. She has a bachelor of arts degree from Oberlin College and a master of education degree from the University of Cincinnati. She is working on her doctoral dissertation in education.

Volunteer recognized

For her 14 years of volunteer services, particularly in the Leadership Development Center, Rachelle Caldwell of Florence was presented the 2004 Midwest Regional Paragon Award Thursday.

The event was the annual meeting of the Cincinnati Area chapter of the American Red Cross at the Millennium Hotel, downtown Cincinnati.

She is a volunteer for the chapter.

"I am very honored,'' Caldwell said. "I couldn't believe I was nominated. The feeling was pretty amazing.''

Youth exchange program

This summer, Kelly Schmitt, 18, of Fort Thomas, will participate in one of the largest high school youth-exchange organizations in the world.

She has been awarded a scholarship by Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America Inc. and will spend six weeks this summer in Melbourne, Australia, through the Youth For Understanding (YFU) USA program.

"This is something I have wanted to do since age 5," said Kelly, who recently graduated from Calvary Christian School, Covington. "My mom was in an exchange program when she was in high school and I always wanted to do it."

Kelly will live with a host family and will have a chance to be fully immersed in her host community, observing and participating in that culture.

At her school, Kelly was active in youth groups, a member of the National Honor Society and a member of the demonstration tae kwon do team.

She said she plans to attend the University of Kentucky under a scholarship and pursue a degree in chemical engineering. She is the daughter of James and Gina Schmitt.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing is one of more than 50 multinational corporations, foundations and governments that offer scholarships through YFU USA for students to live abroad for a summer or an academic year.

Hundreds of American students receive scholarships annually to travel abroad on YFU USA exchanges.

YFU is a private, nonprofit, educational organization. It operates exchange programs in 35 counties.

For more information about scholarships, call (800) 833-6243.