Mars Hill educator receives prestigious state award

    MARS HILL, Maine – Elizabeth “Betsy” York, library media specialist at Central Aroostook High School in Mars Hill, has received the Maine Association of School Libraries’ 2008 Library Media Specialist of the Year Award.     She received news of this award from Superintendent Roger Shaw at a special school assembly Sept. 5.
“Every successful team needs a ‘go to’ person and Mrs. York has been our ‘go to’ person throughout her career. She’s everything that the award symbolizes, and so much more … a true champion for library/media services and excellence in education,” Shaw said.
York was caught by surprise while videotaping the assembly, where the remarks being made started “adding” up to her. Principal Kevin Grass commented “she is uncompromising in her quest for quality educational opportunities for all young people.” She received a standing ovation from fellow staff members, students and family members.
The letter notifying the district of the award, which was received by the Superintendent in late August, stated, “Your colleagues wrote glowing reports describing your work with teachers, students and community. Your involvement in your professional school and also state and local community organizations shows a commitment to lifelong learning. The teachers, students and community have been enriched by you.”
In one of the many letters of support, one of York’s colleagues wrote, and I paraphrase, “that you often ensure that recognition is given to others who are worthy of praise, and it is appropriate that you receive acknowledgement for the outstanding job you have done.”
York will receive the Media Specialist of the Year Award plague and check for her school at the Maine Library Conference, which will be held in Bethel Oct. 23-24.
York has been employed as the Media Specialist at Central Aroostook Junior-Senior High School for 30 years always putting others ahead of herself.