Palmerton’s McHugh is counselor of the year

The award is kept a secret until the last minute each year, but for those who know Vicki McHugh, it was a hardly a surprise that the Palmerton Area High School counselor was named Lehigh Carbon School Counselors Association “Counselor of the Year” on Monday afternoon.

McHugh received the award during a presentation in front of a room full of her peers at Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit #21 in Schnecksville.

“I’m humbled and surprised,” McHugh said upon learning of the honor. “Everyone in that room is here for the same reason. They go there every day and do the best for the students. You are their advocate. I’m still humbled over the fact I was recognized for something that is my passion.”

Several members of Palmerton’s administration were on hand for the award presentation including Superintendent Scot Engler, acting high school Principal Bob Kern and junior high Principal Rich DeSocio.

The leadership at Palmerton’s high school has been in a state of flux the last few years as a personnel issue remains unresolved, and during that time, Kern said, McHugh has been “the glue that holds the school together.”

“The school has been through a lot of change,” Kern said. “When I first met Vicki, I could tell she was very passionate about the students and about the school. I was the fourth principal coming through while this situation is trying to be resolved. I don’t think the school would be where it is right now without Vicki.”

Palmerton High School teachers Bonnie Tavella and Michael Gombert wrote letters supporting McHugh for the award. In the letters, they wrote that McHugh, “embodies what an effective counselor is and her leadership is palpable.

“She is extremely visible in her school and exudes undeniable school spirit. Her job is a way of life. Her pride in the school is ever apparent. Vicki is an invaluable member of our staff. “

LCSCA is comprised of school counselors from Lehigh, Carbon, and Northampton County schools.

Award nominees are judged on professional leadership, original and effective approach to the delivery of counseling services, competence as a counselor, and evidence of continuing interest in professional growth.

Kern, a retired Nazareth Middle School principal and Northern Lehigh physical education teacher, has been acting principal at Palmerton since the beginning of the school year. From the start, it was McHugh who caught him up to speed.

“Coming in I knew nobody,” Kern said. “I’m a Northern Lehigh guy coming to Palmerton and I didn’t know if they’d love me or hate me. Vicki sat down on my first day and clued me in on some things and what she was planning on doing. She’s been my right-hand person. She means so much to our school.”

Not only is she respected by the staff in Palmerton, Kern said, it is also the students who look up to her. Whether it be running assemblies, creating the school’s master schedule, counseling students at every level or working athletic events, McHugh has had her hand in just about everything.

“I think you just try to go every day and make it the best for everyone,” she said. “Seeing students succeed is the most rewarding part. Sometimes students don’t come from the best home life, but they can still follow their dreams and go off to college and do what they need to do to create a good life for themselves and their family.”