NASHUA – The Adult Learning Center recently held the third annual Carol Kreick Literacy Award and Scholarship event at Nashua Country Club.

This year, the ALC – along with lead sponsor the United Way of Greater Nashua – honored the Rev. James Chaloner, of The First Church, as a champion of literacy and a community activist.

The event also served as a ceremony for the awarding of four scholarships to current and former ALC students.

With nearly 100 people in attendance, ALC Executive Director Carol Baldwin outlined the genesis of the award: “Recognizing that education is the key to economic independence, the Adult Learning Center created a scholarship fund in 2013 to allow one of its graduates to pursue a postsecondary education.”

The Carol Kreick Literacy Award and Scholarship fund was established by Carol Kreick, longtime Nashua resident, educator and guidance counselor. Kreick has been active with the Adult Learning Center since 1987 and is on the board of directors’ Development Committee.

The Carol Kreick Celebrate Literacy Award and Scholarship is presented annually to a community member recognized as a champion for the cause of literacy, and an Adult Learning Center student is presented a scholarship award that allows him or her to take the next step on the road to self-sufficiency through education.

Chaloner joins past award recipients Kreick and former ALC Executive Director Mary Jordan.

Chaloner is a Nashua native. He graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in history in 1970. He earned an M.Div. degree from Bangor Theological Seminary in 1979 and was ordained that year. He was called to The First Church as associate minister in 1979 and as the church’s 22nd senior minister in 1984.

United Way President Paul Hebert outlined why Chaloner was a natural pick for the award: “Reverend Jim was a member of the board of directors of the Adult Learning Center for six years prior to joining the board of Directors of United Way of Greater Nashua, where he has served since 1999, twice as chairman. He was instrumental in the formation of the Anne-Marie House and was one of the founders of the Front Door Agency.

“In addition, he helped establish the original Home Health & Hospice Care and was a major fundraiser for the Community Hospice House. In 2012, he was the recipient of the Max I. Silber Community Service Award.”

Chaloner noted that the recognition was more about bringing attention to the work of the ALC and not about the individual.

Kreick presented two ALC students with $2,000 scholarships:

David Kirkhart, a student in the Adult Basic Education program, completed the HiSET (formerly GED) and the Get Ready for College programs at the ALC. He plans to continue his education at Nashua Community College before entering the Marine Corps.

Christina MacKenzie is a student at Clearway High School, an alternative program for teenagers who need a specialized setting to earn a high school diploma. MacKenzie will graduate this year, and she plans to continue her studies focusing on science with a minor in paramedic emergency medicine.

Kreick also presented $1,500 awards to former scholarship recipients Kayla MacDonald and Cameron Doucette, who continue to succeed in their postsecondary education.

MacDonald completed two years at NCC in the criminal justice program and will continue a third college year majoring in business at NCC.

Doucette completed his first of two years at NCC, majoring in technology networking and is working full time.

They received their first scholarships in 2013 and 2014, respectively.