COPPERAS COVE – There are now twice as many campuses in Copperas Cove which have earned the prestigious CREST Award.
The Texas School Counselor Association recently awarded four CCISD campuses its CREST honors, which stands for Counselors Reinforcing Excellence for Students in Texas, for their continued improvement in providing school counseling programs to demonstrate effective communication and a commitment to obtaining results. The award was for efforts in the 2023-24 school year.
House Creek Elementary earned the award for the third year in a row, with Christina Jacobs and former House Creek counselor and current Director of Behavioral Support Services Amy Simpson receiving the honors.
“The role of a school counselor is incredibly impactful, leaving a lasting positive influence on both students and staff,” Simpson said. “Whether it’s forming strong relationships with students, watching them grow and develop socially, empowering them to reach their fullest potential, helping them solve problems, advocating for meaningful change, or witnessing their remarkable resilience, school counseling encompasses it all.”
Martin Walker Elementary School, led by counselor Hillary Newton, earned the honor for the second consecutive year.
“Receiving the recognition of the CREST Award is confirmation for me that what I am doing is making a difference for students and it is worth the effort,” Newton said.
For the first time, Copperas Cove High School and Copperas Cove Jr. High School both won the honors, as well.
Copperas Cove Jr. High is led by counselors Julie Armstrong and Yoshenobia Harris.
“It feels great to be recognized for what you love doing,” Harris said. “It gives you that extra confidence to know that your school’s program is doing wonderful things. I enjoy helping my students navigate the often-challenging transition from childhood to adolescence by offering a safe space to discuss concerns, develop coping mechanisms and make positive choices in their lives.”
Copperas Cove High School’s efforts were led by counseling coordinator Melissa Dewald and counselors BrendaLiz Gomez, Maria Velarde, Jessica Salazar and Amy Trimm.
“Earning the CREST Award is a moment of pride and validation for our entire counseling team,” Dewald said. “This accolade serves as recognition of hard work, dedication and innovative approaches we implement to support the whole student. Together, we will continue to create a supportive environment for every student at CCHS.”
CCHS counselor Amy Trimm added, “To me, the CREST award validates our efforts to empower others and foster trust, understanding and growth in our students. This is a shared achievement with the entire high school counseling staff that highlights the dedication we have to the role we play within CCISD.”
Fellow CCHS counselor Maria Velarde also said, “I am truly honored to receive recognition through the CREST award. I am deeply grateful for our incredible team and the opportunity to work together to showcase all the meaningful work we do with our students, faculty, staff, parents and community. This recognition is a validating experience, affirming that our efforts are both appreciated and valued.”
The CREST Award was established in 2005 to recognize schools with outstanding counseling programs. The award reviews five categories: the introduction to the school and role of the professional school counselor, program implementation cycle, foundational components, four service delivery components and program curriculum.
“The work of school counselors is essential to students’ success, from pre-K through post-graduation,” Simpson said. “The CREST Award recognizes the numerous ways school counselors positively affect the lives of those they serve, offering a unique and prestigious acknowledgement, particularly for school counseling programs in Texas.”