The Young Adult Services Division of the Nassau and Suffolk County Library Associations sponsors the annual B.E.S.T (Bringing Excellence in Service by Teens) Award. This award recognizes significant contributions by a teenager in library service in each county.
This year, the award committee selected Manhasset Secondary School junior, Sophia Stefanakis to be the Nassau County recipient of the award. Nominated by Manhasset Library Youth Services Librarian, Luisa Muñoz, Sophia has been an active volunteer both at the library and in the community for the last several years.
In addition to participating in library volunteer opportunities, Sophia organized multiple initiatives to benefit local organizations.
As co-founder of the non-profit organization, Global Mental Health Community Network, Sophia and her friends partnered with the Manhasset Library to collect over 400 pounds of food donated to Island Harvest for Manhasset families in need, and over 3,750 books for The Book Fairies, a not-for-profit organization that collects reading material for people in need throughout metropolitan New York.
This year the award was presented virtually at the joint meeting between Nassau and Suffolk Young Adult Services Divisions on Thursday, April 8. Following the presentation, Sophia received her plaque and a stipend in person at the library in recognition of her contributions.
