Starting next year, a new media specialist will be joining Chapman’s team: Shaina Ray.

Ray — whose husband, Jarrod, is a guidance counselor at Chapman — currently works at Byrnes High School as the media specialist.

Before that, she was the media specialist at Chesnee High School for 12 years and worked at Spartanburg High School as a teacher for five years.

Ray has a major goal in mind as she takes this position.

“I would like to start a culture of reading,” said Ray.

She is very excited to be back in a small school and to be able to know students on a more personal level.

“I like being involved and having a family-like atmosphere in the school,” she said. “I want the library to be a welcoming space where everyone feels like they can come just to hang out or if they need help.”

Ray also wants to work on adding book clubs and involving teachers.

Media Center Assistant Diana Brown is very excited to be able to work with someone like Ray.

“The classes are coming back because I will finally have a teacher here,” Brown said. “I have someone who can foster that love and include teachers.”

To Brown, having a new media specialist to join her in the media center is very beneficial.

“I think everyone will be very happy to come into this place, and everyone will notice a difference,” she said.

Students who spend their time in the library are also very excited about the new addition to the media center.

“It will make the school a better environment and make students feel more welcome in the library,” said freshman Alvina Reznichenko.