Lincoln, Neb. – The Nebraska State College System (NSCS) has named Sharon Zoucha as the 2017 NSCS Counseling Excellence Award winner. Zoucha is the K-12 Guidance Counselor at Sutton Public Schools and has been there since 2002. She grew up in St. Edward, NE and served in various elementary and counseling roles before moving to Sutton. Zoucha earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Wayne State College.
The Counseling Excellence Award was created to honor high school guidance counselors for exemplary service and commitment to students. Students at Chadron, Peru and Wayne State Colleges have the opportunity to nominate high school counselors for the award. This year the award was given out by Peru State College. The NSCS honored Zoucha and 13 other nominees at the annual Nebraska School Counselor Association School Counselor Academy on November 9th in Lincoln.
In Zoucha’s nomination letter, the student stated that she was “one of the most influential figures in my decision and success in higher education.” The student commented on her willingness to meet with all of her students to provide the support they need, and continually give them that “extra push” needed for the college application process.
Cindy Cammack, director of admissions at Peru State College and Rachel Henry, director of marketing at NSCS presented Zoucha with the award on Tuesday in Sutton. As Zoucha accepted the award, she said, “The students in Sutton are some of the best in the country. They make every day a great one. I really enjoy being their counselor.”
Stan Carpenter, chancellor of the Nebraska State College System, said, “High school counselors play a vital role in the higher education community of Nebraska. We are thankful to have counselors like Mrs. Zoucha helping students explore opportunities after high school and identifying the best fit for their future.”
Zoucha lives in Sutton with her husband, Mike, celebrating 34 years of marriage. They have three children and three grandchildren. She enjoys being with her family as much as possible, and loves having her grandchildren so close to home.
