During the meeting of the Vernon Parish School Board on Tuesday, April 16, the Board met the 2023-24 Counselors of the Year for the parish.  Superintendent James Williams noted that all three recipients had worked together for the school system for years in a variety of positions, and he considered them among the very best he has ever worked with.  Williams went on to say that counselors are needed now more than ever to help students cope with a variety of new situations.

The Counselors of the Year for Vernon Parish are Cheryl Pollock of Hicks/Elementary Counselor of the Year, Chasity Cryer of Leesville Jr. High/Middle School Counselor of the Year, and Leah Williams of Hornbeck/ High School Counselor of the Year.   Between them are 91 years of educational experience.  Pollock was a former Vernon teacher; Cryer a former Vernon student and teacher, while Williams has held multiple positions in the Vernon system.  The three crossed paths on numerous occasions to eventually end up as counselors.

Curriculum Coordinator Lisa Lohman was a student, a co-worker, and now the biggest cheerleader for the three ladies.  Lohman told Board members that counselors like these three are very special and invaluable to the students of Vernon Parish.