Connecticut School Counselor Association
Promoting Excellence in School Counseling since 1963
Congratulations to all our
2025 Professional Recognition Award Recipients
Awards Ceremony at University of Connecticut
2025 School Counselor of the Year
Patrick Brintle
The Gilbert School, Winsted, CT
Administrator of the Year
Paola Andrea Ochoa, Stamford Public Schools, Stamford, CT
Intern of the Year
Therese Mierzejewski, University of St. Joseph/Washington Middle School, Meriden, CT
Internship Supervisor of the Year
Lisa Kilcourse, Head O'Meadow Elementary School, Newtown, CT
Administrative Assistant of the Year
Michelle Derochik, Northwestern Regional School District, Winsted, CT
Comprehensive School Counseling Program of the Year
Darien High School, Darien, CT
Outstanding Student/Family Program of the Year
Jennifer Allanach, Fitch High School, Groton, CT
Friend of CSCA
Dr. Jennifer Parzych, Southern Connecticut State University
CSCA Service Award
Todd Dyer & Heather Toyen, Past CSCA Conference Co-Chairs
PAST PROFESSIONAL AWARD WINNERS
2024 Professional Recognition Awards
Awards Ceremony at University of Connecticut
2024 School Counselor of the Year - Laura Kelly, Maple Hill Elementary School, Naugatuck Public Schools
Intern of the Year - Hunter Merrill, Western Connecticut State University/Head O'Meadow Elementary School, Newtown Public Schools
Internship Supervisor of the Year - Amy Jonsson, East Ridge Middle School, Ridgefield Public Schools
Administrative Assistant of the Year - Sherry Valenti, Newington High School, Newington Public Schools
Outstanding Student/Family Program - Norwich Free Academy Counseling Department & Career Center, Norwich Public Schools
Comprehensive School Counseling Program of the Year - Torrington High School, Torrington Public Schools
Friend of CSCA - Ajit Gopalakrishnan, Chief Performance Officer, CT State Department of Education
CSCA Service Award Recipient - Sharon Veatch, Past CSCA Chairman
2023 Professional Recognition Awards
Awards Ceremony at University of Connecticut
2023 School Counselor of the Year - Anne Zinn, Norwich Free Academy
Intern of the Year - Angelo Virone, University of St. Joseph/Simsbury High School
Internship Supervisor of the Year - Eileen Melody, Mansfield Middle School
Administrator of the Year - Ted Gregorski, Glastonbury Public Schools
Administrative Assistant of the Year - Fran Geraci, Staples High School
Outstanding Student/Family Program - Staples High School, "Spark Your Future"
Friend of CSCA - Peg Donahue, Central Connecticut State University
CSCA Service Award Recipient - Heather Casale, Past CSCA Regional VP
2022 Professional Recognition Awards
Awards Ceremony at University of New Haven
2022 School Counselor of the Year - Barbara Bebee, Torrington High School, Torrington, CT
Intern of the Year - Rae Slattery, UCONN/Tolland Intermediate School, Tolland, CT
Internship Supervisor of the Year - Kim Tillona, Hall Memorial School, Willington, CT
Administrator of the Year - Rebecca Wilson, Stamford Pubic Schools, Stamford, CT
Friend of CSCA - Kim Traverso, CT State Department of Education
CSCA Service Award Recipient - Laura Ehlinger, Past CSCA Chairman
Comprehensive School Counseling Program of the Year - Newington High School, Newington, CT
2021 Professional Recognition Awards
Awards Ceremony via Zoom
2021 School Counselor of the Year - Curtis Darragh, Westside Middle School, Danbury, CT
School Counseling Intern of the Year - Kurt Daigle, UCONN/Farmington HS, Farmington, CT
CSCA Service Award - Samantha Eisenberg, Kaitlin Smedberg, Patricia Thomas, Past CSCA Board Members
2020 Professional Recognition Awards Awards Ceremony via Zoom 2020 School Counselor of the Year - Virginia DeLong, Lebanon Middle School, Lebanon, CT Outstanding Student Program - Erin Chamberlain, Lauralton Hall, Milford, CT Administrator of the Year - Timothy Salem, Scotts Ridge Middle School, Ridgefield, CT School Counseling Intern of the Year - Haley Grabowski, Central Connecticut State University/Newington High School, Newington, CT Comprehensive School Counseling Program of the Year - Mark Wusthorn & Wolcott HS, Wolcott, CT Friend of CSCA Award - John Pearson, Barnum Financial Group's Center for College Planning CSCA Service Award - Eileen Melody, Past CSCA Chairman 2019 Professional Recognition Awards Awards Ceremony at Elaine's in Wethersfield 2019 School Counselor of the Year - Joy Squitieri, John Read Middle School, Redding, CT Outstanding Student Program - Ronald Sefchik, Bacon Academy, Colchester, CT Internship Supervisor of the Year - Jennifer Dunnack, Johnathan Law High School, Milford, CT School Counseling Intern of the Year - Shannon Murphy, Central Connecticut State University/Plainville High School, Plainville, CT CSCA Service Award - Virginia DeLong, Past CSCA Chairman and Government Relations and Advocacy Chair 2018 Professional Recognition Awards Awards Ceremony at Elaine's in Wethersfield 2018 School Counselor of the Year - Kristina Wallace, Windsor High School, Windsor, CT Outstanding Comprehensive Developmental School Counseling Program - Branford High School Counseling Department, Branford, CT Administrator of the Year - Dr. Kimberley Longobucco, Newtown High School, Newtown, CT School Counseling Intern of the Year - Breanna Riollano, Wolcott High School, Wolcott, CT CSCA Service Award - Lorrie-Anne Monte, Past CSCA President 2017 Professional Recognition Awards Awards Ceremony at Elaine's in Wethersfield
2017 School Counselor of the Year - Jesse Shalett, John Read Middle School, Redding, CT Outstanding Student Program - Trumbull High School Counseling Department, Trumbull, CT Administrator of the Year - Megan Rheiner, Chippens Hill Middle School, Bristol, CT School Counseling Supervisor of the Year - Melissa Illes, Wallingford Public Schools, Wallingford, CT School Counseling Intern of the Year - Michael Strumski, Southern CT State University CSCA Service Award - Jennifer Parzych, Past CSCA President |
2016 Professional Recognition Awards
Awards Ceremony at University of New Haven
2016 School Counselor of the Year - Mary Sobin, Farmington High School, Farmington, CT
Outstanding Comprehensive Developmental School Counseling Program - Darien High School Counseling Department, Darien, CT
Outstanding Student Program - Watertown High School Counseling Department, Watertown, CT
Administrator of the Year - Susan Foss. J.M. Wright Technical High School, Stamford, CT
School Counseling Supervisor of the Year - Sherry McLaughlin, Francis T. Maloney High School, Meriden, CT
School Counseling Intern of the Year - Mindy Midy, Westhill High School, Stamford, CT
CSCA Service Award - Michelle Boss, Past CSCA President