Tuesday, January 3, 2023
Awards were presented in November 2022 at the Wisconsin School Counselor Association’s Annual Conference, which takes place in the Wisconsin Dells. Congratulations to this year’s honorees, and a big thank you to all Wisconsin school counselors, who help our students grow every single day!
Equity in Action Award
Sarah Elmore, School Counselor at East High School, in Madison, WI
This award is meant to recognize school counselors who have made significant contributions to the advancement of equity in education for students in Wisconsin.
Friend of School Counseling Award
Alicia Nelson, Special Education Teacher, Westside Elementary, Kimberly Area School District
The Friend of School Counseling Award recognizes an educator or community member who through leadership, acts, or support have made contributions to the school counseling profession.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Terri Augustine, school counselor at Wilson Middle School in the Manitowoc Public School District
This award is meant to recognize school counselors who have spent at least fifteen years in the profession and who exemplify the role of a school counselor as a leader, mentor, and contributor to the lives of students, educators, and the community.
Mary Gehrke-McAllister Leadership Award
Dr. Caroline Baker, Professor, Counseling Program Director University of Wisconsin-River Falls, WI
The Mary Gehrke McAllister Leadership Award recognizes those persons who have provided outstanding leadership to the school counseling profession in Wisconsin.
Rising Star Award
Kayla LeBeck, school counselor at Westside Elementary in the Kimberly Area School District
This award is meant to recognize school counselors who are new in the field of school counseling exemplifying excellence and dedication to serve the needs of students using an equity lens.
Wisconsin School Counselor of the Year
Cindy Bourget, school counselor at Elk Mound Middle School, Elk Mound WI
Annually, the Wisconsin School Counselor Association (WSCA) awards this honor to a school counselor who has demonstrated a profound impact on the profession of school counseling. The winners have devoted their careers to advocating for students while demonstrating the impact they have on students’ academic, career, and social/emotional development.
Secretary/Support Staff Award
Larry Palm, Administrative Assistant and Registrar at Capital High in Madison, WI
The Secretary/ Support Staff Award recognizes those who support and enhance the work of the school counselor.
Supervisor/Administrator Award
Lisa Finney, Principal of Central High School, Sheboygan, WI
The Administrator Award recognizes a principal or administrator who has made significant contributions to the field of school counseling.
School Counseling Team Award
School counselors Heidi Schmidt, Jena Treu, Susan Holster, Nicole Melander, and social worker Suzanne Huss at John Muir Middle School in the Wausau School District, Wausau, WI
This award is meant to recognize a school counseling team who work together to go above and beyond to meet the personal, career, and academic needs of their students.