Former Governor Angus King acted as the Master of Cermonies and former First Lady Barbara Bush was the keynote speaker. Also featured were two of the programs success stories. Student Cindy Welch says the hardest part of becoming literate was simply asking for help. "You're hiding it all the time," Welch said. "You're saying oh I forgot my glasses. I'm not sure what this is. I can't see the label. But, that's not true. They are telling you in their own way, they can't read." 11 years ago, Welch came to the Literacy Volunteers of Maine for help. She is now a tutor for other adults learning to read. In 2006, literacy volunteers helped nearly 1,000 Maine adults learn to read. But, officials say there are still more than 150-thousand people in the state who have trouble reading.

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