A few years ago, I had a chance to attend a literacy conference in Dallas. It was at this conference that I met Lester Meriwether, Executive Director of Literacy Connexus. Hearing his passion for literacy, I was excited about the chance to support Literacy Connexus' mission. As part of the service learning for my Composition 1 and Composition 2 courses, Lester visited my classes at Tarrant County College's Northeast Campus in Hurst, and shared how students could support Literacy Connexus by building bookcases and donating books.  

My students gladly took the challenge of donating books. Over the course of a few weeks, a box full of children's books was filled. One student even found the first book that he read cover to cover by himself, and donated it. He said that he wanted other students to share the same love of reading that he had by reading that same book. It was so encouraging. I plan to continue this project in my classes.    

As a college English instructor, I had more than a passing interest in literacy. Over the 12 years that I have taught, I have noticed that often the challenges that students face in my class are related to their lack of literacy. I've also noticed that the students who did the best were the ones who read the most and the best. My prayer and hope is that by continuing to support Literacy Connexus others will develop this same enthusiasm for the power that comes from literacy.    

Shewanda Riley

Literacy Connexus Board of Directors