With unemployment rates soaring, people are looking at whatever educational advantages they have. However, for many without a high school education the future looks dim. On Gordon County Group is look-ing to change that.

Next month the Calhoun-Gordon Council For a Literate Community is once again hosting their annual Lyrics For Literacy, a scholarship fundraising program that provides funds to support GED hopefuls in paying for the exam, which can cost upwards of $95.

Lyrics For Literacy, is an annual talent competition hosted by the Council for a Literate Community and sponsored by many businesses throughout the community sponsor a singer for $250. The singers perform-ances are scored based on audience reaction, showmanship and costume. This year competition will fea-ture songs from the 1950s and 1960s as contestants compete for the Legend of the Lost Trumpet trophy. “Lyrics” debuted last September and, emceed by Sherry Childs, was an immediate and well-received suc-cess. The combined fund-raisers grossed almost $10,000.

Most of the proceeds go toward GED test funding through recommendations by GED instructors.

“The $95 testing fee might as well be $95,000 some of applicants who have other financial obligations. The state of the economy has had a tremendous impact in our county, and we are seeing it here as people apply to attain the GED diploma,” said Coleen Brooks, Literacy Council chair, lead instructor in the GED phase of the Georgia Northwestern Technical College adult learning program. “And, we do not want to turn anyone away. It is tremendously sad that people lose their jobs during this economic downturn, but this is a wonderful opportunity for many deserving people to attain a GED certificate so that they can find their places in a work environment that is getting more complex all the time.”

Brooks offered an example of the current classroom climate, pointing out that about 90 students of the 150 presently enrolled in GED and English as a Second Language (ESL) day classes are on unemployment, most having been laid off or dismissed from their jobs. It is also estimated that about 50 percent of GED certificates awarded over the last year came from that status of student.

Lyrics for Literacy will be on Sept. 24 at the King Auditorium on the Northwestern Georgia Technical College campus. The cut off to sign up to sponsor a singer is on Sept. 10.

The council is also selling alphabet letters for their annual ABCs of Scholarship fund-raising promo-tion. Business, churches and civic groups can purchase a letter of the alphabet for $250. The proceeds go to scholarships that benefit the community. To purchase a letter or sponsor a singer call Wayne Minshew Executive Director for the Calhoun Gordon Council for a Literate Community at 678-848-6410.