ASCA Announces 2014 School Counselor of the Year Finalists
For immediate release – Oct. 17, 2013
ALEXANDRIA, VA – The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is
pleased to announce the five finalists for the 2014 School Counselor of the
Year awards program. The award honors the professionals who devote their
careers to serving as advocates – and often lifesavers – for the nation’s
students.
The five finalists are:
Melissa Beverly, Cactus Shadows High School, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Timothy Conway, Lakeland Regional High School, Wanaque, N.J.
Monica Dominguez, Dr. Sue Shook Elementary School, El Paso, Texas
Linda Martin, Palm Lake Elementary School, Orlando, Fla.
Robin Zorn, Dr. M.H. Mason Jr. Elementary School, Duluth, Ga.
From these five finalists, one will be named the 2014 School Counselor of the
Year.
Nominations for the School Counselor of the Year awards program were
submitted by the state school counselor associations. The School Counselor
of the Year awards panel was composed of representatives from AASA: The
School Superintendents Association, the National Association of Secondary
School Principals, the National Association of Elementary School Principals,
the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, No Kid Hungry and
school counselors.
The panel selected the finalists based on several criteria, including: school
counseling innovations, effective school counseling programs, leadership and
advocacy skills and contributions to student advancement.
“School counselors make significant contributions to the overall well‐being of
students and their success,” said Richard Wong, Ed.D., executive director,
American School Counselor Association. “They have unique qualifications and
skills that allow them to address students’ academic achievement,
personal/social and career development needs.”
The finalists, their principals and a representative from their state school
counselor associations will be flown to Washington, D.C., in January 2014 for
three days of celebratory events. The honorees will have meetings with their
members of Congress, attend a congressional briefing and be formally
recognized at a black‐tie gala.
Additionally, these school counselors were recognized as semi-finalists:
Esmeralda Armendariz, Walter E. Clarke Middle School, El Paso, Texas
Bonnie Barlow, Ellison Park & East Layton Elementary Schools, Layton, Utah
Michelle Brand, Pine Grove Elementary School, Pine Grove, Pa.
Michelle Bruty, Bettendorf Middle School, Bettendorf, Iowa
Laura DeMoulin, John F. Kennedy High School, Denver, Colo.
Marie DuFresne, Riverview Elementary School, Dayton, Nev.
Jamie Farber, Northwest High School, Justin, Texas
Joanna Fletcher, Viewmont High School, Bountiful, Utah
Jill Goodman, Whittier Elementary School, Frederick, Md.
Pamela Green, Bill Cypress Elementary School, Naples, Fla.
Theresa Henson, Westside High School, Omaha, Neb.
Judi Hillier, Jefferson Elementary School, Valley City, N.D.
Robert Jeffords, West Haven High School, West Haven, Conn.
Dee Anna Kelley, Pickett Elementary School, St. Joseph, Mo.
Christy Land, Hightower Trail Middle School, Marietta, Ga.
Lori LeBrun, Feinstein Middle School, Conventry, R.I.
William Marchione, Piccowaxen Middle School, Newberg, Md.
Megan McDonald, Eldorado K-8 School, Superior, Colo.
Rosalia Munoz-Ledo Koba, Bernice Ayer Middle School, San Clemente, Calif.
Tinisha Parker, Gwinett County Online Campus, Norcross, Ga.
Meg Rieley, Mechanicsburg Middle School, Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Dustin Seemann, Prospect High School, Mt. Prospect, Ill.
Jennifer Tachell, Whitney Elementary School, Boise, Idaho
Matthew Tolliver, Warm Springs Intermediate School, Berkley Springs, W.Va.
Colleen Tortorella, Gateway High School, Monroeville, Pa.
Nicole VanDeMark, Sunset Park Elementary School, Pueblo, Colo.
Julie VanDenBerg, Horseshoe Trails Elementary School, Cave Creek, Ariz.
Christina Welch, Mabel Elementary School, Zionville, N.C.
Mark Wells, Delcastle Technical High School, Wilmington, Del.
Mindy Wells, Valley Park Elementary School, Overland Park, Kan.
Deboarh Wolin, Chantilly High School, Chantilly, Va.
About the American School Counselor Association
The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3)
professional organization based in Alexandria, Va. ASCA promotes student
success by expanding the image and influence of professional school
counseling through leadership, advocacy, collaboration and systemic change.
ASCA helps school counselors guide their students toward academic
achievement, career planning and personal/social development to help
today’s students become tomorrow’s productive, contributing members of
society. Founded in 1952, ASCA currently has a network of 50 state
associations and a membership of more than 33,000 school counseling
professionals. For additional information on the American School Counselor
Association, visit www.schoolcounselor.org.