Portland High School Principal Sheila Jepson was recognized this week for being the 2023 Maine Association of School Libraries School Administrator of the Year. The award honors administrators who, through individual leadership and sustained effort, have made worthy contributions to the operations of effective school library media services within the educational program.

The recognition of Principal Jepson took place at the Maine Association of School Libraries (MASL) Conference, held at the Augusta Civic Center on April 27.  Jepson received the award in a surprise ceremony at Portland High School on March 22. Jennifer Stanbro, former MASL President and a South Portland school librarian, presented Jepson with flowers, a plaque and a check in her name for the school library media program. PHS library staff Susie Nick and Valerie Carpentier joined in recognizing Jepson.

Portland Public Schools librarians attended the MASL conference. The keynote speaker was Jason Reynolds, beloved New York Times best-selling author of young adult books, including For Everyone, Long Way Down, the Track Series. 

Photo: Pictured, from left, are Portland High School Principal Sheila Jepson; best-selling author Jason Reynolds; and Susie Nick, PHS librarian.