Mepham’s Shari Stack honored as "Librarian of the Year"

Shari Stack, a familiar face to students and teachers visiting the Mepham High School library, has been recognized as the 2013-14 Nassau BOCES School Library System’s School Librarian of the Year.

Stack, who graduated from Mepham in 1998, has been a library media specialist at the school for nearly 10 years. The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Board of Education honored her for her recent achievement at its May 7 meeting.

The Nassau BOCES School Library System award is granted annually to a New York state-certified library media specialist whose work, with and for students, serves as a model for his or her peers and an inspiration to those entering the profession.

The William S. Christy Memorial Library at Mepham has become a central hub of student life because of the professionalism, warmth and excitement that Stack promotes, Central District officials said. They added that Stack, who previously told the Herald Life that it was a privilege to work at Mepham’s library, has proven to students that the space can be a fun and safe environment before, during and after school.

In addition to her work at the library, Stack is involved with several student organizations, serving as the adviser for the National English Honor Society and the computer club, in addition to being one of Mepham’s technology integration mentors.

When Stack received her honor from the board, her hair was cropped short. That is because she participated in Chop Your Locks for Charity at Mepham. Stack shaved her head on two different occasions for the event, helping to raise more than $125,000 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

Stack has also appeared on "The Dr. Oz Show" to discuss her life as a stroke survivor. Click here to find out more about Stack.