National School Counseling Week Being Observed

National School Counseling Week
Proclamation
National School Counseling Week
WHEREAS, school counselors are employed in public and private schools to help students reach their full potential; and
WHEREAS, school counselors are actively committed to helping students explore their abilities, strengths, interests and talents as these traits relate to career awareness and development; and
WHEREAS, school counselors help families focus on ways to further the academic, career and social/emotional development of their children; and
WHEREAS, school counselors work with teachers and other educators to help students explore their potential and set realistic goals for themselves; and
WHEREAS, school counselors seek to identify and utilize community resources that can enhance and complement comprehensive school counseling programs and help students become productive members of society; and
WHEREAS, comprehensive school counseling programs are considered an integral part of the educational process that enables all students to achieve success in school;
Therefore, Dillon County do hereby proclaim February 2–6, 2026, as National School Counseling Week.

Sara S. Alex is the School Counselor at Dillon Middle School for the 2025-2026 school year. Her educational background includes a Master’s degree in Human Behavior and Conflict Management from Columbia College, a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from USC School of Medicine, and a Master’s Degree in Education Counseling from The Citadel. Mrs. Alex’s focus of teaching students to be kind involves sharing her love of gardening and other agricultural activities as a way to demonstrate self-love and healthy habits. She has worked for The State of SC for close to 20 years, with seven of those years being in an educational setting. Sara utilizes her background and years of experience in counseling to fulfill her employment responsibilities as School Counselor at DMS. Mrs. Alex is the mother of two beautiful girls, Addison and Ansleigh, who also keep her up-to-date on current fads and youthful expressions.

Rebekah Grice Baker commenced her career in education at Gordon Elementary School in 1988. After ten years of service as a 4th‑grade classroom teacher, she pursued and obtained her Master of Education degree in School Guidance Counseling from Winthrop University. This year marks Mrs. Baker’s thirty‑eighth year in education at Gordon Elementary School. She is married to Mr. Levern Baker, and they have four sons and the grandparents of two grandchildren. Mrs. Baker affirms the belief that “A person’s most useful asset is not a head full of knowledge; but a heart full of love, an ear ready to listen, and a hand willing to help.”

Melanie Blanchard is the school counselor at Latta High School. Before becoming a school counselor, Mrs. Blanchard taught history for fourteen years in Latta, SC. She currently teaches Theory of Knowledge while also serving students as a school counselor. She earned her undergraduate degree from Purdue University and master’s degrees from Winthrop University and Liberty University. Mrs. Blanchard lives in Sellers, SC with her husband and two children. As a school counselor, she hopes she can make a difference in her students’ lives and help them take steps to accomplish their goals. Mrs. Blanchard usually tells her students, “What works for one student, doesn’t necessarily work for another. Choose the path that you feel will work best for you to obtain your goals.

Kimber Celmer is a certified professional school counselor who serves as the school counselor of Dillon Elementary School. She earned her Master’s of Education in K-12 School Counseling from Winthrop University in May of 2015. Her education and training are based on the American School Counselor Association’s (ASCA) National Model and the Strengths-Based School Counseling framework. Along with her master’s degree, she also has a bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Sport Management with a minor in Communication from Coastal Carolina University. This is Mrs. Celmer’s first year working in Dillon School District Four. She has been a school counselor for 10 years, previously at McDonald Green Elementary School in Lancaster County School District. Her mission as a school counselor is to help students engage, focus, evoke positive change and plan for their future.

Carolyn Crawford, a dedicated School Counselor with 24 years of service, has built her career on supporting students academically, socially, and in their career development. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Psychology from Limestone College, followed by a Master of Education in School Guidance and Counseling and an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership, both from Cambridge College. Throughout her career, Ms. Crawford has been a steadfast advocate for student success, believing that nurturing the whole child is essential to helping young people become productive, resilient members of the community. Her work reflects a deep commitment to guiding students through challenges, celebrating their achievements, and preparing them for life beyond the classroom. Outside of her professional role, Ms. Crawford enjoys crafting, reading, and spending quality time with her two granddaughters—activities that bring her joy, creativity, and connection.

Jane Crawford has been working in Dillon School District Four for 28 years. She has been a school counselor at J. V. Martin/Dillon Middle School for 14 years. Ms. Crawford received her Bachelor’s Degree from Coker College and Master of Education in School Guidance and Counseling from Cambridge College. Her mission as a school counselor is to help students engage, focus, evoke positive change and plan for their future.

Brandy Ford is in her third year as a School Counselor at Lake View Elementary School. She previously worked in Marion County School District for 21 years and Florence District One for 2 years. This is Mrs. Ford’s 26th year in Education. She is married to Reverend Anthony Ford, and they have a blended family of four children and one adorable granddaughter. As a vital member of the school leadership team at Lake View Elementary, Mrs. Ford creates a school environment of love and success for all students. Mrs. Ford sees her role as a school counselor is to provide individualized and group guidance to help students create academic plans, navigate career choices, and address personal challenges and maximize student success, promoting access and equity for all students. As a counselor, we get to be there for students in crisis – and connect families with resources when they are in need. There is no greater feeling in the world than having a career that allows you to leave such a positive impact on so many students lives’.

Kimberley Garris is a certified professional school counselor who serves as the school counselor of Lake View High School. She earned her M.Ed. in K-12 School Counseling from Lamar University in 2014. Her education and training are based on the American School Counselor Association’s (ASCA) National Model and the Strengths-Based School Counseling framework. Along with her master’s degree, Ms. Garris also has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Francis Marion University. Before becoming Lake View’s school counselor, she was a fifth-grade math teacher for ten years. Growing up in Lake View and being a Lake View High School graduate herself, Kimberley has a special affinity to the community and the students of Lake View. She strives to help students overcome various obstacles and encourages them to become self-reliant, productive members of society.

Angel Huffman-Page returned to Dillon District Four in 2021 as a high school counselor. She was previously employed with Dillon District Four as a counselor at Dillon High School from 1999-2005. During her time away from Dillon, she was employed with Florence 1 Schools for 16 years as a school counselor with South Florence High School and retired after 29 years of service to the state of South Carolina. She has a passion for working with young adults. She feels inspired when she has the opportunity to see students mature over their high school career as 9th grade students entering high school, and then to see them graduate as mature students ready for their postsecondary future. Mrs. Huffman-Page, along with her husband Coach Darryl C. Page, have raised their son Jalen (age 27) and daughter Kerian (age 24) in the Florence, SC community.

Kimberly Jackson Kimberly Jackson has been an employee of Dillon School District Four for 24 years. She had various jobs in the district starting as a Parent Liaison and then working with two- and three-year old before obtaining a School Counseling job. Kim has been a School Counselor for 15 years, at Gordon Elementary during the 2011-2012 school year and at Dillon High School since 2012. She enjoys working with children. Working with the high school students is just as rewarding if not more. Mrs. Jackson or “Ms. Kim” as she is known, enjoys when the student’s hard work and dedication pay off. When they have reached their goal of either college, military, or the workforce. She enjoys seeing forming students working and giving back to the community. She is married to Jasper Jackson Jr. for 41 years and together, they have 7 children, 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Antionette Langley – Dillon High School meet your School Counselor! With 28 years of experience as a Business Education/ CATE teacher and now three years as a School Counselor, Ms. Langley is passionate about helping students discover their strengths and plan for successful futures. She is also a Certified (GCF) Global Career Development Facilitator, supporting students as they explore various career pathways and postsecondary opportunities to ensure they are college and career-ready. When Ms. Langley is not at school, she enjoys planning family events, reading, and spending time with her daughter and grandchildren. Retail Therapy and working out are top priorities when she wants to destress! Ms. Langley also enjoys playing the piano, singing in the choir and meeting new people. Further, she enjoys attending sporting events! meeting new people, and supporting scholarship fundraising efforts with the Divine Nine Organizations!

Virginia Foreman Melton has proudly served as the School Counselor at Latta Middle School for the past 12 years, where she is committed to supporting the academic, social, and emotional development of all students. Prior to transitioning into school counseling, Mrs. Melton spent two years in the classroom teaching 5th grade English Language Arts and Social Studies at both Latta Elementary School and Latta Middle School. Her experience as a classroom teacher has given her a strong foundation for understanding student needs and collaborating effectively with teachers and families. Mrs. Melton is a graduate of Francis Marion University and Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, where she earned her degrees in education and school counseling. Beyond her role at Latta Middle School, she is actively involved in student life and mentorship, serving as an FCA co-leader and Assistant Cross Country Coach at Latta High School. Through these roles, Mrs. Melton continues to foster meaningful relationships with students and promote leadership, character, and perseverance both inside and outside the classroom.

Dr. Miranda E. Page has been a School Counselor in Dillon School District Four for 30 years. She is currently at Dillon Elementary School and previously worked at East Elementary School for 20 years and South Elementary and Stewart Heights Elementary as a School Counselor for 8 years. This is Dr. Page’s 37th year in the field of education. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees at South Carolina State University and her Doctoral Degree from Argosy University. Dr. Page feels there is no greater excitement or reward than knowing that she can and do make a difference is the ultimate reward. During the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school year, Dr. Page was a co-presenter at the Palmetto State School Counselor Association (PSSCA) Annual Conference. In July 2026, Dr. Page will be a co-presenter with Dr. LaWanda Felder-Myers, Executive Director of PSSCA and School Counselor at Cross Elementary School, at The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dr. Page is married to Cedric G. Page and they have two children, Laterrin and Cequordric, daughter-in-law Mariah and grandson Anthony.

Leigh Darby Sloan is the school counselor at Latta Elementary. She has invested her time in improving the lives of students in Dillon County for the past 32 years having served as a counselor and administrator. Her true love is working directly with students to teach them the skills they need for a successful future. She is married to Roger Sloan and they have raised three children who graduated from Latta High School. Her favorite title is grandmother to her grandson Rogers!

LeeRuth Willis is currently the school counselor for Dillon Elementary. ​She has worked as a school counselor for ​nine years. She previously worked at ​North Mullins Primary School. Prior to becoming a school counselor, Lee Ruth was a Head Start/First Steps Teacher for 14 years. She received her bachelor’s degree from ​South Carolina State University and her Master’s Degree from ​American Public University. Lee Ruth is the proud mother of ​one son and four grandchildren. She believes that “I can’t fix all of your problems, but I can promise you that you won’t have to face them all alone.”