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 educational, personal and social/emotional growth 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 developmental school counseling programs are considered an integral part of the educational process that enables all students to achieve success in school;
Therefore, Dillon County, does hereby proclaim February 3-7, 2025, as National School Counseling Week.
Sara S. Alex is the new School Counselor at Dillon Middle School for the 2024-2025 school year. This is Sara’s second year in education. She previously worked in the Marion School District at Marion Intermediate School. 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 she is on track to graduate from The Citadel in May 2025 with a Master’s degree in Education Counseling. Before entering the educational field as a School Counselor, she was the Transition Counselor with SCVRD where she worked closely with high school teachers in Dillon and Marion counties to guide students in their educational journey to achieve their goals and become career ready, as they progress towards graduation. Sara has held positions in various SC State agencies for the past 17 years. Sara utilizes her educational background and years of experience in counseling to fulfill her employment responsibilities as School Counselor at DMS. Sara is the mother of two beautiful girls, Addison and Ansleigh, who also keep her educated on current fads and youthful expressions.
Rebekah Grice Baker began her career in education at Gordon Elementary School in 1988. After 10 years as a 4th grade classroom teacher, she attended Winthrop University to receive her Master of Education degree for School Guidance Counseling. This will be Mrs. Baker‘s 36th year in education at Gordon Elementary School. She is married to Mr. Levern Baker, and they have four sons and two grandchildren. Mrs. Baker believes “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”. “Empowering Minds, Inspiring Futures: Celebrating School Counseling Week”
Melanie Blanchard is the school counselor at Latta High School. Before becoming a school counselor, Melanie taught history for fourteen years in Latta, SC. She currently teaches Theory of Knowledge while also serving students as a school counselor. Melanie earned her undergraduate degree from Purdue University and master’s degrees from Winthrop University and Liberty University. Melanie lives in Sellers, SC with her husband and two children. As a school counselor, Melanie hopes she can make a difference in her students’ lives and help them take steps to accomplish their goals. Melanie 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.”
Carolyn Crawford has been a School Counselor for 21 years. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a minor in Psychology from Limestone College, Master of Education in School Guidance and Counseling from Cambridge College, and Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Cambridge College. As a school counselor and advocate, she provides support to our students in their academics, career, and personal/social. Ms. Crawford believes it is important to provide support in all areas to assist our students in becoming productive and resilient students out in the community.
Jane Crawford has been working in Dillon School District Four for 27 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 second year as 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 25th 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, Kimberley 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 a mature student ready for their postsecondary future. Mrs. Huffman-Page, along with her husband Coach Darryl C. Page, have raised their son Jalen (age 26) and daughter Kerian (age 23) in the Florence, SC community.
Kimberly Jackson has been an employee of Dillon School District Four for 23 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 14 years, at Gordon Elementary during 2011-2012 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 pays off. When they have reached their goal of either, college, military, or the workforce. She has been married to Jasper Jackson Jr. for 40 years and together, they have 7 children, 14 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Antionette Langley is the new school counselor at Dillon High School this year. She previously worked in Lexington/Richland counties school district as a Business Education/CATE teacher at the middle school level. This is her 28th year in education and her second year as a school counselor. Her passion for helping young people reach their highest potential led her to further her education and pursue a career in school counseling. She received a Master of Education degree in secondary counselor education from South Carolina State University. She is also certified as a Global Career Development Facilitator (CDF/Career Specialist). Her philosophy as a school counselor is to meet students where they are and help them to develop the skills necessary to be successful in their academics, personal/social and career needs. In her spare time, she enjoys planning family events, spending time with her daughter Danielle, and her two grandchildren: Jeremiah and Carrington. She also enjoys playing the piano, meeting new people and attending sporting events!
Virginia Foreman Melton has been the School Counselor for the past 11 years at Latta Middle School. Prior to becoming a school counselor, Virginia taught 5th grade ELA and Social Studies at Latta’s Elementary and Middle School. She is a graduate of Francis Marion University and Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. In addition to school counseling, Virginia also serves as a FCA co-leader and is the Latta High School Head Varsity Softball Coach. Virginia currently lives in Dillon, SC with her husband, Curtis, daughter, Charlye, and their ‘fur babies’.
Dr. Miranda E. Page has been a School Counselor in Dillon School District Four since 1996. 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 36th year in the field of education. She received her Bachelor 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 school year, Dr. Page was a presenter at the Palmetto State School Counselor Association (PSSCA) Annual Conference. Dr. Page is married to Cedric 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 31 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. Leigh’s newest adventure includes her 18 month old grandson, Rogers!
Lee Ruth Willis is currently the school counselor for Stewart Heights 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.”
