<em>Photo above: Beaufort County School District school counselors from left are Kidada Irick (Port Royal Elementary); Mary Hady (Hilton Head Island Elementary IB); Sara Reynolds (St. Helena Elementary); Deborah Moore (Joseph Shanklin Elementary); Lori Howell (Lady’s Island Middle); Geri Henderson (the district’s lead counselor); Bonnie Almond (the district’s director of secondary education); Edward Johnson (South Carolina Department of Education); Jennifer Simmons (Hilton Head Island Middle); Sherry Williamson (Beaufort High); Jalissa Newton (Lady’s Island Elementary); Carol Brediger (Mossy Oaks Elementary) and Kimberly Brown (Whale Branch Early College High).</em>

A Beaufort County School District administrator has earned statewide recognition for her support of school counselors. Bonnie Almond, the district’s director of secondary education, has been presented with the 2016 School Counselor Advocate of the Year Award by the Palmetto State School Counselors Association. This is the first year for the new statewide recognition, which honors individuals who have demonstrated their support of school counseling programs.

“I’m gratified to be recognized, but at the same time I know that this award is so much bigger than any one person,” Almond said. “School counselors are critical components of successful schools, and their contributions are critical components of our district’s strategic plan. They make up a core element of the overall vision for our district, for our superintendent and for our Board of Education.”

Almond was nominated by Beaufort County School District counselors and was selected for the statewide honor by the awards committee of the Palmetto State School Counselors Association.