In addition to naming counselors of the year, the organization also recognizes a non-counselor who has worked hard during the year to advance counseling programs and services at an individual school or system wide. This year's advocate of the year award was presented to Sarah MacDonald who works in the school system's technology department. She had been instrumental in providing software assistance to the counselors for student records.

"I'm very honored. I thought I was coming here to today to answer questions. It is always an honor to have someone else recognize your efforts," MacDonald told the counselors as she accepted the award.

School counselors at all levels provide valuable services to students and their families as well as faculty and staff. On a daily basis they are involved in character education, violence prevention, career planning and much more.

Counselors are professional educators who understand and respond to the challenges presented by today's diverse population. They don't work in isolation; rather they are integral to the total educational program. They provide proactive leadership that engages all stakeholders in the delivery of programs and services to help students achieve school success.

Professional school counselors align with the school's mission to support the academic achievement of all students as they prepare for the ever-changing world of the 21st century. This mission is accomplished through the design, development, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive, developmental and systematic school counseling program.

In addition to honoring colleagues, the association also installed its 2005-2006 officers: Phyllis Bennett (Cleveland Elementary), president; Sue McEwan (Flat Rock Middle), president elect; Sonya Tucker (McIntosh High), past president; Joy Conklin (Peeples Elementary), elementary worksetting VP; Lynda Manwaring (J.C. Booth Middle), middle school worksetting VP; Kelly Floyd (Sandy Creek High), high school worksetting VP; Oriska Griggs (Spring Hill Elementary), secretary and Evelyn McGavin (Whitewater High), treasurer.