On October 15, 2025, school counseling professionals from Orange County were recognized at the California Association of School Counselors’ (CASC) 25th anniversary conference at the Riverside Convention Center. The event, organized by the state’s largest professional association for school counselors, honored educators, graduate students, and district leaders who have supported student success and equity in California.
Dr. Randelle Kirkemo, assistant director of Chapman University’s school counseling program, received the 2026 CASC Counselor Educator of the Year award. She was recognized for her work in leadership, mentorship, and coursework in ethics, mental health, and the California Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). Dr. Kirkemo has also worked with the Orange County Department of Education to support professional development for new counselors.
The counseling team at Greenville Fundamental School—Kenya Sanchez-Alvarado, Genoveva Torres, and Fedelia Suleiman-Santos—received the Exemplary School Counseling Program of the Year award. Their program in the Santa Ana Unified School District was noted for its approach to academic growth and student support…