Hanks Middle School has been named a 2022 Lone Star Award Gold winner – the first ever for the Ysleta Independent School District – from the Lone Star State School Counselor Association (LSSSCA) for its outstanding and comprehensive counseling program.

Hanks Middle School was chosen for the honor after demonstrating success in its counseling programs in a variety of areas, such as being data-driven; focusing on goal completion; and aligning with the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) national model.

“Being awarded the Lone Star Gold Award is very exciting because it means we are providing a counseling program that is accessible and equitable to all the children we serve at Hanks Middle School,” said counselor Debbie Walker, who works alongside fellow counselors Mike Enriquez and Maria McNulty.

“Through the years, we have shared laughter, tears, joy, successes, and inspiration with our wonderful students,” Walker added. “We hope as counselors – in some small way – we have impacted and made a positive difference in our students’ lives so they can experience a bright future.”

                        LSSSCA’s awards system consists of three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. Each award has increasing levels of rigor designed to elevate school counselor programs to national recognition through the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) award.

School counseling programs were evaluated in the following 10 areas:

• Vision and Mission Statement
• Annual Student Outcome Goals
• Classroom and Group Mindsets & Behaviors Action Plan
• Annual Administrative Conference
• Advisory Council
• Calendars
• Lesson Plans
• Classroom Instruction Results Report
• Small-Group Results Report
• Closing-the-Gap Action Plan/Results Report