Stewart speaks to Cookstown kids
By Chris Simon

Queen's Jubilee Medal recipient Arnie Stewart spoke to students at Cookstown Central Public School last week.

Arnie Stewart was 40 years old before he learned how to read.

Now at a Grade 3 reading level, Stewart has been overcoming adversity since his childhood. Growing up, he rarely paid attention to teachers, spending a combined 12 years in grades 1 to 4. Eventually, at the age of 16, Stewart was kicked out of school.

Several weeks later, Stewart was handed $15 by his father and told to leave the house. The next few years were spent working in a mine, and sleeping in a car. The inability to read or write often left Stewart disoriented and disadvantaged.

He couldn't drive, fill out work applications or read labels for food products. It even prevented Stewart from advancing in his job at the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, since a lack of reading comprehension could put residents and workers in danger.

For the last few years, Stewart has been sharing his story with students at schools across Canada and the United States. And last Thursday, he spoke to about 200 Grade 4 to 8 students at Cookstown Central Public School.

"Education is money, education says a better future," he said, speaking to the students. "I could have got my driver's licence when

was 16 (years old), but

couldn't) fill the questionnaire out. I tried seven times to get my licence. I lost four years of driving, my girlfriend then helped me out to remember."

Vice principal Kathy Newby says Stewart's story is inspirational.

"Hopefully, (students) take these stories home and share them with family and other people in the neighbourhood," she said. "People had trouble keeping their eyes dry. It was a very moving and worthwhile presentation."

Stewart has won several awards for his contributions to society, including the Queen's Jubilee Medal and the Canada Post Individual Achievement Award. The Queen's medal has been donated to the Simcoe County District School Board, and will ceremonially be handed to students who receive the annual Stewart Family Literacy Award.

Students need to be encouraged to learn, and ask for help when they are having difficulty, said Stewart.

"I got so mad (while driving) one day, I pulled off to the side of the road and hit the steering wheel," he said. "I said "Oh God, someday let me go back and tell them kids not to be a village idiot like I was.""

Stewart hopes to inspire students to earn a good education.

"In my dream, we're all little seeds that are planted into the earth. I see raindrops falling, the raindrops are school teachers helping other people to grow," he said. "If we could all share our hopes, dreams and knowledge with each other, I'm sure this would be a better world we all could live in."