Cronn-Mills said the first she knew of her involvement with this award was when she received a call notifying her she’d won.

Now, having won, she’s humble, but happy she’s able to have an impact.

“It’s an awesome experience,” she said, “to know that you made a difference in someone’s life.”

In the not-too-distant future, the other half of Cronn-Mills’ English expertise will get some publicity. Her first novel, “The Sky Always Hears Me, and the Hills Don’t Mind,” will be published soon.

She says it’s about a girl who grows up six blocks east of where the West begins.