The Afterschool Alliance, in partnership with Dollar General Literacy Foundation, recently honored La Prensa Libre de Simpson Street in Monona, Wisconsin, for demonstrated excellence in helping develop literacy skills of English language learner students.

This is a photo of me, today, on my 47th birthday, holding my very first journal—written when I was 10 years old. My fifth grade teacher asked us to buy a notebook that inspired us and, every few days, she gave us a topic to write about.

A life is made of memories. When I was 20 years old, I traveled the world for two months with my best friend Kristin. It was a safer time then. Airport security was a breeze. Shoes stayed on. Everyone smiled. I had just acted in my first television show. My television was the only screen I owned.

Know a program that excels in improving its students' reading, writing and critical thinking skills? For the third year in a row, the Afterschool Alliance and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation seek nominations for the $10,000 Dollar General Afterschool Literacy Award.

Many of us are aware that daily reading and literacy activity can enhance vocabulary, increase comprehension and develop an understanding about story structure, among other skills.