Connecticut School Counselor Association
Promoting Excellence in School Counseling since 1963
2026 Professional Recognition Award Nominations are now open! CLICK HERE to nominate a colleague or program before 2/1/26!
PAST PROFESSIONAL AWARD WINNERS
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
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