- January 30, 2026
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Lakeview Middle School Principal John Linehan and Wharton-Smith Senior Project Manager George Novo and Senior Superintendent Dean Schiffbauer cut the ribbon to celebrate the opening of the renovated media center.
Lakeview Middle School’s Gabriel Holloway had his copy of “Wish I was a Baller” signed by author Amar Shah.
Alexis Avera and Bree Avera drew characters from novels they randomly picked.
Wharton-Smith’s Dean Schiffbauer, Lakeview Middle Principal John Linehan, Wharton-Smith’s George Novo and Lakeview Middle School media specialist Patricia Rawlings were eager to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the newly renovated media center.
Patricia Rawlings, the media specialist at Lakeview Middle School, said one of the most exciting aspects of the renovated media center was the various new books.
Local author Amar Shah signed books after giving a presentation on lessons he’s learned in his career as a journalist and author.
Patricia Rawlings, the media specialist at Lakeview Middle School, said while the media center was a magical place before its renovation, it now has become an even better place for students to feel comfortable and safe and gravitate toward books and other media.
Students created their own bookmarks.
Lakeview Middle School’s Caroline Gallucci met author Amar Shah.
Principal John Linehan, left, and media specialist Patricia Rawlings, right, welcomed author Amar Shah to the ribbon cutting of Lakeview Middle’s renovated media center.
Local author Amar Shah shared three lessons he learned throughout his career: resilience, teamwork and overcoming obstacles.
Dozens of Lakeview Middle School students, faculty and parents crowded outside the doors of the media center and watched as Principal John Linehan and Wharton-Smith's George Novo and Dean Schiffbauer cut the ribbon to celebrate the opening of the newly renovated media center Thursday, Jan. 29.
After filing into the media center, everyone took a seat and listened intently as local author Amar Shah shared the lessons he's learned throughout his career as a journalist and author. He encouraged students to be resilient, believe in teamwork and overcome any obstacles that come their way.
He talked about meeting Shaquille O'Neal, Michael Jordan and other famous basketball players as a child and being on the cover of Sports Illustrated for Kids. He shared his journey of writing "Wish I was a Baller," a memoir-turned-graphic novel.
Afterward, Shah signed copies of "Wish I was a Baller" for students as others went around the media center to participate in literacy activities.
Media center specialist Patricia Rawlings was thrilled to have the media center renovation complete.
"It was pretty magical before they redid it, but since they've redone it, it just seems to have really taken flight and become some place where the kids can feel comfortable, feel safe and really gravitate towards books and other media," she said.
The media center now has an alternate room that can be used as a classroom while other lessons are occurring in the main library. There also is a work room and four bathrooms.
But what excited Rawlings most is the plethora of new books.
