Alcovy High School media specialist May Xiong was chosen as the Newton County School System’s 2014 Media Specialist of the Year.

Xiong was chosen out of three local finalists and will go on to represent Newton County in the South Metro District Library Media Specialist of the Year competition, which is part of the Georgia Library Media Specialist of the Year program.

“This is such a huge honor,” Xiong said in a press release. “I feel privileged to be given the chance to represent the media specialists in Newton County.”

Xiong was one of three local finalists along with South Salem Elementary School’s Ginger O’Neal and Indian Creek Middle School’s Lori McGovern, who were chosen by their peers during a selection process.

Each of the three finalists then submitted essay packets that were reviewed by a panel of judges. Essays were judged on the following criteria: leadership role through staff development, committee involvement, or professional advocacy; involvement in professional organizations; promotion of information technology utilization and literacy; promotion of reading and literature; involving parents and/or the community in the library media program as partners; working collaboratively with the educators in your building; innovative techniques used in your library media program; and deliberate and ongoing professional development as a learner which is relevant to media services.

The judges also interviewed each finalist.

“Mrs. Xiong is an exceptional media specialist,” said Sandra Owens, principal of Alcovy High School. “She is a key member of our Design Team and is the catalyst for integrating instructional technology at Alcovy High School. Mrs. Xiong is highly respected by the administration, faculty, staff, and students of Alcovy. We would be lost without her expertise and devotion.”

Gary Shattuck, the school system’s director of technology and media services echoed the sentiments.

“Mrs. Xiong has been a stalwart member of the outstanding Media Program in Newton County for many years,” Shattuck said. “She mentors other media specialists-in-training while handling the myriad of other duties all the media specialists are required to handle. She is a very strong advocate for reading and her Reading Bowl teams at Alcovy annually place high enough to advance to the district and regional competitions. Newton County is fortunate to have Mrs. Xiong represent our school district in the State competition for Media Specialist of the Year because of her passion for all thing media.”

Xiong is also actively involved with Alcovy High School's Key Club.