Annual Awards
USCA is looking for nominations for Counselor of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Program of the Year for the 2024-25 school year. We are changing up our award timeline so we can recognize our winners in front of their counseling peers at the USCA Conference in November.
We have also simplified the process to nominate a counselor or counseling program. After filling in information about you and your nominee such as name, email and phone number, there is only ONE question to answer!
The USCA Counselor of the Year winner will also have the opportunity to go on to represent Utah in Washington, D.C. at the national level with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).
You can read about each award below and get a preview of the questions that will appear on the application.
TIMELINE:
The Nominations for 2024-25 will open during August 1, 2024.
SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 is the due date for nominations.
Winners and finalists will be recognized at the USCA Conference in November 2024.
Email: chandra.walker@utschoolcounselor.org with any questions.
All applications are DUE September 18, 2024
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE USCA Annual Awards
School Counselor of the Year
The School Counselor of the Year Award (5+ years experience) honors the best counselors who run a top-notch, comprehensive school counseling program at the elementary, middle, or high school level. They are working to provide the best outcomes for their students, are leaders in their counseling centers, and are positive influences in their schools.
Rookie School Counselor of the Year
The Rookie School Counselor of the Year Award honors the best of our new counselors (1 - 4 years of experience) at either the elementary, middle, or high school level. These rookie counselors bring new ideas, new enthusiasm, and change for the better in their counseling departments, while still learning from other counselors' experiences.
School Counseling Program of the Year
Our best school counselors work to provide great counseling programs.. This award is designed to recognize those stand out programs who lead the way in comprehensive school counseling programs at either the elementary, middle, or high school level.
Nominees will be emailed questions to answer about themselves or their program as they are the best source when it comes to collecting data about why they deserve the award.
2024 Award Winners
Congrats to our 2024 Award winners. Danie Natter will represent USCA as a nominee at ASCA.
Counselor of the Year
Danie Natter Taylorsville High
Rookie of the Year
Chelsea Bailey Moroni Elementary
Program of the Year
Tracie Garrard Oak Hollow Elementary
2024-25 Award Winners
ngratulations to the 2024-25 Award Winners and Honorable Mention recipients. They are great examples of the excellence demonstrated by all counselors in Utah..
Counselor of the Year
Amie Dopeking Hooper Elementary
Rookie of the Year
Ashley Tracy Mound Fort Middle School
Program of the Year
Granger High School
Counselors: Keshia Anderson, Jim Babcock, Monica Candia, Yvonne Fortune, Samantha McMorrow, Brandy Oliver, Kristena Seewer, Laura Sherman, Shena Switzer, Laural Takashima
2024-25 Counselor of the Year Honorable Mention
Elycia Bechard - Diamond Ridge High School
Heather Briley -Park City High School
Claire Caldwell -Sand Springs Elementary School
Tyler Davis -Skyridge High School
Lyndsi Drysdale -West Point Jr High
Lori Dunne - Gunnison Valley High School
Josh Flores - Mountain Creek Middle School
Tonya Jesienouski - Lava Ridge Intermediate School
Courtney Packard - Advanced Learning Center
David Parker - Mountain Creek Middle School
Brooke Roden - Lake Mountain Middle School
Michelle Sampson - Riverton High School
Barry Smith - North Sevier High School
Tom Wiltbank - Lake Mountain Middle School
2024-25 Rookie of the Year Honorable Mention
Stacey Bartletti - Shadow Valley Elementary School
Misty Bliss - Valley View Elementary
Briana Broadhead - Dixie Middle School
Rachon Duran - Walden School of Liberal Arts
Shaunna Fuller - Antelope Elementary
Savanna Johnson - Hidden Valley Middle School
Cathryn Larson - Majestic Elementary Arts Academy
Brittney Lundgren - Rich Middle School
Amy Morris - Mountain Creek Middle School
Paula Tippets - Fairview Elementary
2024-25 Program of the Year
Mountain Creek Middle School. Counselors Josh Flores, Alishia Huefner, Amy Morris, David Parker
West Point Junior High. Counselors: Katrina Beddes, Lyndsi Drysdale, Melissa McAllister, Christine Nelson.