Counselor of the Year
Each year, WSCA recognizes outstanding service to the counseling profession and the clientele of Suffolk County.
Any WSCA member may submit a nomination for the award. Nominations should be in the form of a letter that includes the following:
- Contribution to the field of counseling or human development.
- Examples of innovative or unique programs initiated by the nominee.
- Professional activities (in the school, district, agency, community, in WSCA or a statewide professional counseling organization).
- Outstanding personal and professional qualities of nominee.
Administrator of the Year
Each year, WSCA presents an award to an administrator who has provided outstanding support to the counseling profession.
Any WSCA member may submit a nomination for the award. Nominations should be in the form of a letter that includes the following:
- Name and institutional affiliation of the nominee
- Description of the nominee's outstanding qualities
- Specific examples of the nominee's support of critical counseling programs and guidance department activities
- Professional and civic activities of the nominee
Exemplary Practice of the Year
WSCA recognizes a noteworthy accomplishment of a counseling staff for outstanding school counseling practice. Ideally, the nominated practice should reflect a project/initiative/program that is innovative, specific, currently in practice, and easily adaptable to other schools. A detailed description of the guidance practice and any supporting materials must be submitted with the nomination.
Any WSCA member may submit a nomination for the award. Nominations should be in the form of a letter that includes the following:
- Name and institutional affiliation of the nominee
- Description of the exemplary practice's outstanding qualities with specific examples of how the practice demonstrates innovation and addresses the students' needs
Submitting Nominations
Awards will be presented on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at the Spring General Membership Meeting and Annual Awards Luncheon
View Restaurant in Oakdale.
Entrants must attend the Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
Both nominee and nominator must be current WSCA members.
Please email nomination letters to Events@westernsuffolkcounselors.org
Include:
- Nominee First & Last Name
- School or Organization
- Address
- Work Telephone (and Mobile if Possible)
- Professional Position of Nominee
- Nominated by First & Last Name
- Professional Position of Nominator
- Nomination Letter
Nominations must be submitted by Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Awards and End of Year Festivities take place at one of our all time favorite venues
View, 3 Consuelo Place, Oakdale, NY
Previous Award Winners
Counselor of the Year
2026: Marilyn Marsilio, East Hampton High School, Nominated by Samone Ritz and student, Charlie Stern
2026: Kristin Orig, Northport High School, Nominated by Jenny Konop2025: Diana Bonilla, Huntington High School, Nominated by Dr. Daphne Ali
2025: Stacy Murphy: Amityville Memorial High School, Nominated by Dr. Maria Vineyard
2024: MaryAnn Powers, Northport High School, Nominated by Kristin Orig
2024: Lorraine Zemba, West Babylon Junior High School, Nominated by Laurie Mitchell
2023: Evelyn Hanlon, West Islip High School
2023: Jennifer Pickering, Cold Spring Harbor Jr/Sr High School
2022: Keith Buehler, Port Jefferson Middle School
2014: Nancy Koch, Accompsett Middle School, Smithtown SD
Administrator of the Year
2026: Joseph Buccello, Principal, East Deauville Elementary School, Copiague, Nominated by Lysa Mullady
2026: Jenna Restivo, Director of Guidance & Counseling Programs for the South Country CSD, Nominated by Patricia McCallum
2025: Dr. Ricky Papandrea, Jr., Director of Counseling, Huntington UFSD, Nominated by Dr. Daphne Ali
2025: Annmarie Freund, Assistant Principal, Smithtown High School West, Nominated by Kate Baker-Dorney
2024: Dr. Paul Gold, Principal, Ward Melville High School, Nominated by Jennifer Sheppard MacLean
2024: Lurdez Berrios, EW Miles Middle School, Nominated by Tim Brower
2023: Shannon Dantuono, Director of Student Support Services, Northport-East Northport School District
2023: Richard Finder, District Coordinator for Social Studies, Lindenhurst UFSD
2022: Andrew O'Farrell, Principal, Beach Street Middle School, West Islip
2022: Dr. Christine Jordan, Assistant to the Superintendent for Administrative & Instructional Accountability, Wyandanch UFSD
2018: Paul Sibblies, Principal, Wyandanch Memorial High School
2017: Joseph Agosta, Principal, Copiague High School
2017: Louis Balsamo, Guidance Director, Bay Shore High School
2017: Marguerite Lane, Asst. VP of Enrollment Management, Molloy University
2014: Wayne Abenes, Coordinator of Guidance K-12, Brentwood School UFSD, Nominated by Antoinette Shervington
2014: Annamarie Confessore, Assist. Principal/Guidance, Patchogue-Medford High School
Exemplary Practice of the Year
2026: Bernadette Walsh, Counselor, Huntington High School
2022: Evelyn Hernandez, Counselor, Huntington High School
Leadership Award
2023: Ray Martinez, Retired School Counselor, Deer Park Schools
2023: Gil Link, Retired Counselor, Copiague Schools
2023: Jean Poten, Copiague High School
2023: Mimi McCormack, Clinical Placement Coordinator with Long Island University
2023: Peter Franzese, Lead Academic Advisor with Stony Brook University
2017: Peter Cabral, Counselor with East Islip Schools
WSCA Service Award
2023: Gloria Schetty-Plante, WSCA Business Manager & Fall/Spring College Fair Coordinator
WSCA Gloria Christopher Award
2023: Dexter Ward, School Counselor, Wyandanch High School
