Celebrating Excellence in School Counseling

The Nebraska School Counselor Association recognized three school counselors and one administrator for their contributions to the school counseling profession during the 2019 NSCA School Counselor Academy in November. Bob Holzapfel, principal at Indian Hill Elementary School in Omaha, was named the NSCA Outstanding Administrator for his support of the school counseling program and school counselors Barb Becker and Whitney Galvan. NSCA also honored

• Loni Watson of Chadron Public Schools as High School Counselor of the Year
• Tasha Osten of Raymond Central Public Schools as Middle School Counselor of the Year
• Megan McDougal of the Papillion LaVista Community Schools as Elementary School Counselor of the Year

Each of these exceptional counselors was recognized in part for their successful implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program that closely aligns with the ASCA National Model.
 
In February, NSCA will host the School Counselor of the Year Dinner in Lincoln to celebrate the three school honorees and finalists Jerry Wiggins of Gothenburg Public Schools, Fran Hassler of Ponca Public Schools, and Carla Brauer of Sidney Public Schools. During the dinner, one of the November Award Recipients will be announced as the 2020 Nebraska School Counselor of the Year. This individual will represent Nebraska in the American School Counselor Association’s School Counselor of the Year competition. As such, the 2020 Nebraska School Counselor of the Year will travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in ASCA’s School Counselor of the Year activities in February 2021.