The Knox Student

Senior Keely Campbell knows what it’s like to face adversity. Growing up with ADD, she, as many people with learning disabilities do, had to deal with a lack of understanding. Campbell, like many others in similar situations, felt isolated for much of her schooling. Then a friend told her about Project Eye-to-Eye (PETE), a national non-profit organization dedicated to giving learning-disabled students in middle and high school individual support and attention by pairing them with learning disabled college students.

Campbell saw an opportunity. Then she took action and brought PETE to Knox.

“I can’t believe that [Knox] went so long without a support system. Ten percent of college students have learning disabilities,” Campbell said.

PETE’s goal is to encourage students with learning disabilities like ADHD and dyslexia. By pairing college students with younger students, both get a chance to evolve. PETE also teaches students how to live with being labeled and provides a support system for them and their parents, for whom there are other support groups.

PETE’s unique style of tutoring involves two main parts. One is scholastic tutoring. The other is the use of meaningful art projects to help students better express and understand themselves.

PETE has been pushing forward, pulling off two fundraisers since its inception at Knox, one at Wendy’s and the other at Hy-Vee. Reception has been great. Student support at both fundraisers was above expectations, especially from the Greek community. The Galesburg Register-Mail even did an article on the club.

The group’s plans for the future are to “get noticed,” said PETE president junior Cameron Posey. Currently, the club is small, but they hope to grow to a decent number. They plan to start mentoring next year and to spread awareness not only of the club but also about learning disabilities. Campbell wants the club to receive the resources to start workshops, so that other people can understand what people with learning disabilities must go through and how to better interact with them.

All in all, it looks like PETE is already starting to succeed.

“Being committed to something gets things done,” Posey said.