Wicomico Public Library honors “Luminaries” at awards banquet
SALISBURY, Md. – The Friends of the Wicomico Public Library held the 9th annual “Light of Literacy” awards Thursday. The awards honor so called “luminaries,” individuals chosen whose actions demonstrate a deep understanding of the transformational power of literacy in the lives of those in our community.
“We’re really happy to shine a spotlight that doesn’t get shined on just regular people that are helping other people in our community,” says Wicomico Public Library Executive Director Seth Hershberger.
This is the first time the awards were held in-person post-covid and organizers say it was a positive and uplifting event. They hope it inspires people to connect and share ideas involving literacy across the community.
Farah Yahya is on the Board of Trustees and is the Friends of Wicomico Public Library Chair. She says, “I see great things happening in our community. If they can continue this work in covid, wow, they have some skills and some passion. So we would like to really really take that passion and build on that.”
Hershberger says, “It’s always so encouraging and heartening to see all the people that are doing such amazing work, often with very little credit, to help advance the cause of literacy around our community and that’s what this program is really about.”
“There are pockets of people who need support, who have talent, so my thing is from those communities, pick the people to volunteer with you, help them, share your ideas with them and replicate what you are doing, so that they can build a strong structure for their communities,” says Yahya.
The following awards were given out:
2023 Student Luminary – Dailyn Ballard
2023 Educator Luminary – Rebecca Maldonado
2023 Higher Education Luminary – Adam Tavel
2023 Adult Luminary – Edward Lee
2023 Organization Luminary – Eastern Shore Literacy Association
2023 Digital Literacy Luminary – Rebirth Community School & Support Center
2023 Liz Bellavance Legacy Award – Nancy Mitchell
Organizers say they hope Thursday’s awards will help inspire even more nominations next year.
47 ABC was a proud sponsor and Good Morning Delmarva anchor Jordie Clark narrated the event. H. Scott Duncan emceed the event and Wicomico County Superintendent Micah Stauffer was the keynote speaker. For more information on the Light of Literacy awards click here.
