Editor's Note: This is an updated version of the story reflecting that Cicely Lewis is a finalist for the award. The state winner will be named June 10.
Meadowcreek High School media specialist Cicely Lewis has been named a state finalists for the Georgia Library Media Association’s 2019 Media Specialist of the Year.
Lewis was the Gwinnett County Public Schools’ 2019 Media Specialist of the Year. She also received the Young Adult Library Services Association’s Margaret A. Edwards Award for Best Literature Program.
Lewis regularly collaborates across all curricular areas by offering professional development to teachers and forming positive relationships with her students and staff through a variety of events, including a chili cook-off, Prom Book Fashion Show and Phenomenal Fridays.
Lewis empowers her library science students by training them to be research ambassadors in order to expand the reach of her media program. Her Read Woke program enlightens students and staff to the power of diversity in literature and challenges them to read books that create personal meaning, varied perspectives and reflective dialogue.
Outside of school, Lewis has a strong following on social media and believes “real leaders inspire others to lead.” She has used the platform to “connect with librarians all over the world,” which she says has expanded her personal learning network.
When Lewis was announced as GCPS Media Specialist of the Year, Meadowcreek’s Principal Tommy Welch said Lewis has made a lasting impact at the school.
“Ms. Lewis has truly created a literature-enriched culture at our school,” Welch said. “Through her tireless actions, she inspires both adults and teens to develop a love of books.”
GCPS media centers earn accolades
Three Gwinnett County schools have been honored by the Georgia Library Media Association and the Georgia Library Association.
Coleman Middle School’s media program, led by media specialist Kathy Schmidt, was designated as the 2019 Exemplary Library Media Program at the middle school level.
Norcross High School’s media program, led by media specialists Lauren Hagey and Lorraine McCullough, earned the 2019 Exemplary Library Media Program title at the high school level.
Burnette Elementary School’s media program, led by media specialist Traci Costilow, earned the 2019 Exceptional Library Media Program designation, the state’s highest honor.
The Judy Serritella Exemplary/Exceptional Library Media Program was created to recognize those library media programs that empower students to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers and ethical users of information both in vision and in practice.
Exceptional library media programs are ones that demonstrate these characteristics in a consistent and effective manner. Exemplary library media programs go one-step beyond and are a model for innovation, student empowerment, and leadership in the school library community.
Each year, the Georgia Library Media Association and Georgia Library Association recognize and honor three exemplary and three exceptional Georgia Library Media Programs at the elementary, middle and high school levels.
GSU Physics major wins awardGeorgia State University Student Francisco Martinez of Sugar Hill was awarded the Robert H. Hankla Endowment Award. Martinez is a Physics major in the College of Arts & Sciences.
The Robert H. Hankla Endowment Award provides support for senior undergraduate students majoring in Physics. Students considered for the award must be outstanding undergraduate students who are eligible to graduate during the academic year in which the award is given.
The scholarship was created by the family of Robert H. Hankla in his honor. Hankla was an associate professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy for 30 years and assistant dean and director of graduate studies in the College of Arts and Sciences for 10 years.
