National School Counseling Week will be celebrated February 3-7, 2025 to recognize School Counselors' unique contribution within the U.S. school systems. During this special week, the Orange County Department of Education recognizes exemplary Orange County School Counselors, School Counseling Advocates, and Community College Counselors who work tirelessly to support our Orange County students and families.
Nominations for the 2024-2025 school year close on
Friday, October 18, 2024!
Orange County TK-12 School Counselor of the Year Award
Any student, parent, colleague, or supervisor may nominate their exemplary School Counselor of choice for the Orange County TK-12 School Counselor of the Year Award.
NOMINATE A COUNSELOR HERE!
Orange County K-12 School Counseling Advocate of the Year Award
Any counselor may nominate an exemplary School Counselor Advocate for the Orange County TK-12 School Counseling Advocate of the Year Award.
NOMINATE A COUNSELING ADVOCATE HERE!
Orange County Community College School Counselor of the Year Award
Any counselor may nominate an exemplary School Counselor Advocate for the Orange County Community College School Counselor of the Year Award.
NOMINATE A COMMUNITY COLLEGE COUNSELOR HERE!
Deadline to submit is Friday, October 18, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
Previous Awardees
2023-2024
Orange County K-12 School Counselor of the Year Award
2024 OC School Counselor of the Year Award Recipients are:
High School
- Carlyn Morones - Saddleback Valley Unified School District
- Edith Garcia Prado - Huntington Beach Union High School District
Alternative Education
- Kenia Sandoval- Rodriguez - Anaheim Union High School District
Middle School
- Michele Branch - Westminster School District
- Alexandra Vargas - Capistrano Unified School District
Elementary School
- Brandon Irvine Gernux - Santa Ana Unified School District
- Brittany Springle - Anaheim Elementary School District
Orange County K-12 School Counselor Advocate Award
2024 OC School Counselor Advocate of the Year Award Recipients are:
Middle School
- Darek Jaroncyk - Westminster School District
Orange County Community College Counselor Award
2024 OC Community College Counselor of the Year Award Recipients are:
Community College Counselor
- Paolo Varquez - Coastline College
Community College Advocate
- Amanda Romero - Irvine Valley College
2022-2023
Orange County K-12 School Counselor of the Year Award
2023 OC School Counselor of the Year Award Recipients are:
High School
- Angela Badillo, Orange Unified School District
- Elizabeth Grothe, Anaheim Union High School District
- Monica Mejia, Santa Ana Unified School District
Middle School
- Aubrey McMorris, Laguna Beach Unified School District
Elementary School
- Bianca Contreras-Garcia, Tustin Unified School District
Orange County K-12 School Counselor Advocate Award
2023 OC School Counselor Advocate Awardees are:
- Cammie Nguyen, La Habra City School District
- Katie Treat, Orange Unified School District
Orange County K-12 School Counselor of the Year Award
2022 OC School Counselor of the Year Award Recipients are:High School
- Jacquie Morck, Fullerton Joint Union High School District
- Mark Stanley, Placentia Yorba Linda Unified School District
Middle School
- Anh Nguyen, Anaheim Union High School District
Elementary School
- Cleo Victa, Capistrano Unified School District
Orange County K-12 School Counselor Advocate Award
2022 OC School Counselor Advocate Awardees are:
- Cheryl Nord, Program Specialist, Huntington Beach City School District
Orange County K-12 School Counselor of the Year Award
2021 OC School Counselor of the Year Award Recipients are:
High School
- Veronica Alvarez, Anaheim Union High School District
- Robert Stelmar, Brea Olinda Unified School District
Middle School
- Jessica Sandoval, Capistrano Unified School District
- Laurie Tristan, Santa Ana Unified School District
Elementary School
- Julie Chutuk, Capistrano Unified School District
- Rosa Chavez, Anaheim Elementary School District
Orange County K-12 School Counselor Advocate Award
2021 OC School Counselor Advocate Awardees are:
- Jenny Thai, Counselor on Special Assignment, Capistrano Unified School District
- Nicol Jones and Kathryn White, Officers of Parent Teacher Student Organization, Orange Unified School District
2019-2020
Orange County K-12 School Counselor of the Year Award
2020 OC School Counselor of the Year Award Recipients are:- Darwin Vega, Capistrano Unified School District
Middle School
- Jacqueline Gallardo-Hoffmaster, Fullerton School District
Elementary School
- Kyle Sivcovich, Anaheim Elementary School District
Orange County K-12 School Counselor Advocate Award
2020 OC School Counselor Advocate Awardees are:
- Katy Castellanos, Director of College and Career Readiness, Santa Ana Unified School District
- Shirley Diaz, Program Specialist, Anaheim Elementary School District
2018-2019
Orange County K-12 School Counselor of the Year Award
2019 OC School Counselor of the Year Award Recipients are:High School
- Beau Kelly Menchaca, Santa Ana Unified School District
- Lorri Walls, Placentia Yorba Linda Unified School District
Middle School
- Andrew Fredriksz, Capistrano Unified School District
Elementary School
- Katerina Sorrell, Saddleback Valley Unified School District
Orange County K-12 School Counselor Advocate Award
2019 OC School Counselor Advocate Awardees are:
- Rebecca Pianta, Coordinator, School Counseling, Capistrano Unified School District
- Dr. Sonia Llamas, Assistant Superintendent, Santa Ana Unified School District
2017-2018
Orange County K-12 School Counselor of the Year Award
2018 OC School Counselor of the Year Award Recipients are:College Board Counselor Award
- Mireya Vazquez, Santa Ana Unified School District
- Nichole Rosa, Laguna Beach Unified School District
- Luz M. Arellano, Tustin Unified School District
K-8 Counselor Award
- Alexis Goddard, Capistrano Unified School District
- Patricia Calkins, Capistrano Unified School District
- Roshni Patel, Orange Unified School District
OC Pathways Counselor Award
- Janice Duzey, Newport Mesa Unified School District
- Julie McGinis, Tustin Unified School District
- Kim Goodwin, Placentia Yorba Linda Unified School District
