Hannah Storm

May 1, 2009

Hannah Storm, co-host of ESPN's Daytime SportsCenter, returned to Houston and was presented with the prestigious Champions of Literacy award for her work as an author and philanthropist. Over 200 guests came to Minute Maid Park to honor Storm and to support a more literate community.

Storm's impressive career has included hosting "The Early Show" on CBS, Olympic Coverage for NBC, and began in Houston hosting Rockets and Astros pre-game and post-game shows. She is the author of two books: Go Girl!: Raising Healthy, Confident and Successful Daughters through Sports, and Notre Dame Inspirations. Storm has also created the Hannah Storm Foundation to help children with Vascular and Port-Wine Stain birthmarks.

The audience included: several former champions of literacy including Larry Dierker, Oliver Luck, Valerie Koehler, and Jana Mullins; Storm's husband, NBC Golf Host Dan Hicks; and Storm's mother and stepfather, Hannah Storen and Bill Kreps who were chairs of the Host Committee. Larry Dierker and Marjorie Evans were honorary chairs of the event.

"I'm here because I'm being honored as a Champion of Literacy, but I'm really here because I want to honor this amazing organization," Storm said during the awards presentation. She and Joe Pogge, producer of Smokin' Joe's Driving Range golf radio show and emcee of the event, did a question and answer session with each other. Storm answered questions about her career, about becoming an author, and about her foundation.

Literacy Advance volunteer tutor Sherle Watson and her learner Nohemy Luevano also spoke to the audience about their experiences. Nohemy is a mother of three who wants to earn her GED and to find a better job. "Tutoring Nohemy is one of the most exciting things I've ever done," said Sherle, Haliburton Senior Policy Coordinator. The audience gave the pair a standing ovation.

At the end of the evening, City Controller Annise Parker surprised Storm with a proclamation from Mayor White declaring May 1, 2009 "Hannah Storm Day" in the city of Houston.