President’s Letter: Nationwide Notice

The theme for the August issue of the PSSCA newsletter is New Year, New Approaches. As school counselors, we are constantly acquiring new approaches to meet our students’ ever-changing challenges. I’d like to share with you some exciting news about how your fellow school counselors learned (and taught) new approaches at the 2018 ASCA Annual Conference.
 
First, I want you to know that the Palmetto State was one of the brightest shining stars at this year’s ASCA conference! We had 106 registered attendees from all across South Carolina. Our combined voices created the loudest shout-out of all the states during roll call. We certainly let our presence shine!
 
Four South Carolina counselors were chosen to lead break-out sessions at the ASCA annual conference. Iris Stevens from Mathews Elementary presented “Use Videos to Reach All,” Tina Ferguson from Joseph R. Pye Elementary presented “Positively Promoting Your Profession,” and Crissy Roddy from White Knoll High and I presented “A Survival Guide for Students with Anxiety.”
 
Three schools from South Carolina were celebrated at the RAMP Awards Dinner in Los Angeles: Mauldin Elementary School in Simpsonville, Richland Northeast High School in Columbia and Taylors Elementary School in Taylors. This brings South Carolina to 16 RAMP schools – the sixth highest in the nation!

Our 2017 South Carolina school counselor of the year, Michelle Privette, was recognized on stage with the other state school counselors of the year. Jennifer Adams, PSSCA ASCA liaison and lead RAMP reviewer, was a leader in the RAMP Fair. LaWanda Felder, past PSSCA president, was recognized for her work on the ASCA Conference Planning committee.
 
PSSCA sent six delegates to the Leadership Development Institute and Delegate Assembly two days prior to the start of the conference. We learned about the direction of ASCA and voted on several issues. I was proud to learn that PSSCA is one of the most respected state associations in ASCA.
 
We need to keep the PSSCA momentum going for the 2019 ASCA Annual Conference in Boston, June 29-July 2, 2019. Make plans now to attend! If you have a great idea for a session to present at the 2019 ASCA conference, submit your conference session proposal by September 6, 2018, through the ASCA website.
 
It is my hope that the South Carolina delegation to the ASCA conferences continues to grow and expand. I hope you will join us!
 
Contact Anna R. Duvall, proud PSSCA president, at aduvall@lexington1.net.