USCA Lynn Jensen Memorial Scholarship Winners and Honored Counselors

Utah School Counselor’s Association has awarded $500 scholarships to five outstanding high school seniors for the 2006-2007 school year. Forty-five qualified students from across the state applied for the scholarships. To qualify, students must be pursuing a career as a school counselor or a public school teacher. The primary portion of the scholarship application was an essay written by the applicant describing their relationship with their school counselor. Letters of recommendation, academic achievement, extra-curricular activities, and the applicant’s experience and commitment to the field of education were also considered. A committee of five counselors reviewed the applications.

Funding for the scholarships has been earned through USCA’s Silent Auctions held during the USCA Conference and the June Conference sponsored by USOE. Counselors currently serving on the USCA Scholarship Committee are Annette Whitaker, Heather Hardy, Mary Young, Cindy Fonesca, and Jennifer Benally.

USCA Lynn Jensen Memorial Scholarship Winners 2007 (left to right):
Amanda Marie Maxwell, Timpanogos High School; Courtney Lynn Pendleton, Ben Lomond High School;
Lindsie Wendy Heder, Tooele High School; Amanda Marie Wright, Cyprus High School;
Jena Mae Sulser, Wasatch High School

Jena Mae Sulser
Wasatch High School
Honored Counselor: Larry Huntington

Goal: Elementary Education
Jena has participated in student government, FFA, FBLA, Choir, Cheerleading, and volleyball. She has participated in several volunteer activities in her community including Sub-for-Santa, Festival of Trees, and tutoring reading. She has served for two years as an intern volunteering two days a week in local elementary schools.

In honoring her counselor Larry Huntington, Jena writes: “I know I will go far in my schooling because he has pushed me to be my very best and never settle for anything than my best. My school counselor has great character; he can have fun when the time is right, he can also be kind and very understanding, as well as just being the greatest person to talk to. He has truly shown me how to care for others and give so willingly in all relationships. He will do anything for anyone without a single complaint.”

Amber Marie Maxwell
Timpanogos High School
Honored Counselor: Carrie Whitney

Goal: Elementary Education
Amber has participated in FCCLA, National Honor Society, and Student Council. She was appointed as a state officer in FCCLA. Amber donated over 250 hours of volunteer service implementing a new traffic guard, providing flashing warning signs and adjusting school dismissal times to improve traffic safety at her local elementary school. Amber has been a first grade classroom aide at Bonneville Elementary. Her cooperating teacher reports that Amber already exhibits dedication to the teaching profession and best teaching practices.

In honoring her counselor Carrie Whitney, Amber writes: “Mrs. Whitney has helped me as if I were the only student she was responsible for, but I know she gives the same kind of help and attention to her other students. I don’t know where she finds the time or energy, but I admire and respect her for her wonderful attributes. I hope to influence students in the same positive way one day when I become a teacher. I will have Mrs. Whitney’s example to always remind me of the kind of person I want to be when I have the opportunity to influence students.”

Lindsie Wendy Heder
Tooele High School
Honored Counselor: Julie Busico

Goal: Elementary Education
Lindsie has received awards and honors as a member of the tennis team, the ballroom dance team, and the show choir. She has served as President of FCCLA and has been a member of the Academy Information Technology Club. Lindsie has been a referee for a junior soccer league and has helped manage a day care. She has provided many service hours to her community preparing and performing with her show choir and ballroom dance team. She has also provided childcare for parents attending parenting skills classes at the Utah Family Center. Lindsie has been a student mentor and intern for 3rd graders at Copper Canyon Elementary.

In honoring her counselor Julie Busico, Lindsie writes: “Mrs. Busico is the best high school counselor in the world. I say this because she is extremely caring, persistent, and committed. She’s extremely competent in everything she does. Mrs. Busico will fight for the right and persist in her efforts until the very end! She has the driving will to accomplish what she sets her mind to, especially when it’s in the best interest of one of her students. It doesn’t matter how sticky the situation is; she will always find a way and pull you out! Mrs. Busico works miracles! Mrs. Busico is a wonderful role model for any young lady. As such, I feel it an honor to know her. I look up to her with the highest respect!”

Amanda Marie Wright
Cyprus High School
Honored Counselor: Jane Townsend

Goal: Elementary Education
Amanda has been a member of MESA Club, Dance Company, and a local musical theater troupe. She has received honors in science and English and has received CTE Skills Certificates in Child Care. She has served her community at her local food bank, senior citizen homes, and through community clean-up projects in her local parks and neighborhood. During the past 2 ½ years, she has spent an average 5-6 hours per week volunteering at local elementary schools, providing tutoring and teaching assistance. She is comfortable leading a classroom and working with children of all ages.

In honoring her counselor Jane Townsend, Amanda writes: “All through high school she has encouraged me to do my best and has told me that I can do whatever I want to do. She’s always been very supportive and has known that I could get back on track. She has helped me to know what things I have to do to get where I want to go in life. She has always had my best interest at heart. She keeps track of the things going on in my life. She has never cared if the things she was doing for me were the easiest; she only cared if it was the best for me. She has been a big support for me in high school and has affected my life in a very positive way.”

Courtney Lynn Pendleton
Ben Lomond High School
Honored Counselor: Becky Butler

Goal: Elementary Education
Amanda has served as a student officer for two years in the student council. She has been member of the community action team, journalism program, Future Educators of America, Key Club, FBLA, MESA, FCCLA, and the basketball team. She has volunteered many hours at the Treehouse Museum, Weber County Fair, Weber County Library, Kaysville Battered Women’s Shelter, and local elementary schools. She has been a two-year coordinator at the Boys and Girls Club.

In honoring her counselor Becky Butler, Courtney writes: “Becky Butler is the kind of school counselor that will be remembered with gratitude for decades to come in the hearts and minds of the students she has mentored. She is kind, compassionate, intelligent, and dedicated to helping each student find her or his unique talents, passions, and responsibilities in life. She is a woman who calls you by name, who looks you in the eye, and who shows genuine concern for the things that most concern you. She made it clear that while I obviously had the capability of achieving my own goals, I had to find out what mattered most to me. I feel her optimism has had a great influence on me. It has helped me grow and maintain a positive attitude myself. Becky has been a great role model for me—an important ally in making decisions about school and an inspiration. I hope to carry her outstanding characteristics into my future work as a teacher.”

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FIVE WINNERS AND THEIR HONORED COUNSELORS.