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


2016 Professional Recognition Awards

School Counselor of the Year 2016 - Mary Sobin, Farmington High School

Outstanding Comprehensive Developmental School Counseling Program - Darien High School Counseling Department

Outstanding Student Program - Watertown High School Counseling Department

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

Contact Information:

Address: P.O. Box 4635, Wallingford, CT 06492 ATTN: Michelle Boss , CSCA Executive Director 

For Questions regarding membership, donations and advertising information please contact our Executive Director.

Email: execdirectorCSCA@gmail.com

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software