Opening Doors to Learning
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The Journal-Standard
By Claire O'Brien
Ida Mae Hull worried about her son, Preston , for years. Despite all the extra help she could find for her little boy, Preston couldn't keep up with his classmates. His difficulty with reading kept him behind, and as time passed, Hull grew more and more frustrated.

Four years ago, Hull , who lives in Pearl City, learned of the Masonic Learning Center , an afterschool program that uses a unique method to teach dyslexic children. She enrolled Preston , then 10 years old, hoping that the Center could help him.

On September 24, 2008, Preston, now 14, shone with pride as he ate cake with his family during the Learning Center 's graduation reception. He has reason to be proud of himself. Hull said that his academic skills have improved so dramatically that Preston now works almost at grade level.

The Hull family was not the only proud family at the Masonic Temple . The reception area adjacent to the Lodge Room was filled with happy parents, along with children, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters. They were there to celebrate the graduation of children who had waged a mighty war against a formidable disability – and emerged victorious.

Across the room from the Hulls, a lanky teenage boy lounged, his long legs barely fitting under the table. Steven Beck, 14, kept his cool as he ate an enormous piece of cake, but his pride in his achievement shone through nevertheless. And his mother, Pam Beck, was positively glowing.

“Steven's progress has been just remarkable. He had so much trouble reading, it was painful to watch him struggle,” said Beck. “You want a better life for your child, and when you see them hurting, you'll do anything to help. Steven has been on the honor roll at school for the past two semesters, and he's making the grades to do it again. I'm so proud of him.”

Beck said she sees a different future for Steven now, one which will allow him to follow his dreams according to his true abilities.

Masonic Learning Center Director Pat Ludewig said she has to keep a box of Kleenex handy during graduation ceremonies.

“I get emotional because I'm the one who first meets the children and I'm the one who tests them, so I can see the incredible gains they have made by the time they graduate,” said Ludewig. “And it's not just the learning skills and academic gains - they also have a new confidence in themselves, in the people they are, and the people they can become. They know what they are capable of.”

The happy faces of the young graduates and their families were proof that Ludewig was right. 

For more information about the Masonic Learning Center , call the Freeport Masonic Temple at (815) 233-0513 and ask for Director Pat Ludewig. The Center is funded by the Masons, and will accept every eligible child, regardless of economic status. Currently, there is a waiting list, and openings are anticipated in the summer of 2009.