Park City High School counseling team named best in Utah

Park City High School counselors gather at the Utah School Counselor Association conference on Nov. 21 after being named the 2025–26 School Counseling Program of the Year. The team — Heather Briley, Pepper Elliott, Kristen Hall, Shannon Hase, Liz Moskal and Dara Smith — accepted the statewide honor recognizing their comprehensive support for students. Photo: Park City School District

PARK CITY, Utah — Park City High School’s counseling department has been honored as the Utah School Counselor Association’s School Counseling Program of the Year. This prestigious recognition acknowledges schools that demonstrate exceptional commitment to student support and postsecondary preparation.

The award was announced on Friday, Nov. 21, during the Utah School Counselor Association’s (USCA) annual conference, where counselors Heather Briley, Pepper Elliott, Kristen Hall, Shannon Hase, Liz Moskal, and Dara Smith were celebrated for their comprehensive, student-centered approach.

This recognition highlights school counseling programs that exemplify outreach, innovation, and collaboration. At Park City High School, counselors emphasize their guiding principle: every student receives consistent guidance throughout all four years of high school.

“At Park City High School, this means that every student receives intentional, structured support throughout all four years of high school,” the team explained. “School counselors actively support students in various ways, including classroom lessons, annual individual meetings, college and career readiness experiences, and schoolwide initiatives.”

Counselors pointed out that fostering a sense of belonging and offering support before a student has to ask are central to their model.

“In short, a comprehensive program means we don’t wait for students to come to us; we proactively reach every student with the right support at the right time,” the team said. “Our goal is to ensure that all PCHS students graduate with the academic foundation, emotional skills, and future-ready plans they need to thrive.”

The most meaningful aspect of their work, they shared, is accompanying students throughout the entire arc of adolescence—navigating academic pressures, personal discoveries, and the initial steps toward future plans.

“The most rewarding part of being a school counselor at Park City High School is getting to walk alongside students as they grow academically, personally, and confidently over their four years with us,” they said. “PCHS students are curious, driven, and wonderfully diverse in their interests, and it’s a privilege to help them discover who they are and what they want their future to look like.”

They noted that daily interactions—whether celebrating a breakthrough in a challenging class, offering reassurance during a tough week, or helping a student gain clarity about college or a career—often create lasting memories.

“Being a school counselor at PCHS means having the opportunity to make a real impact in a school community that values student well-being, belonging, and authentic relationships, and that is incredibly fulfilling,” the team expressed.

The counselors also credited their internal teamwork as pivotal, noting that a collaborative culture enhances their ability to respond to the needs of nearly every student who walks through the doors of Park City High School.

They emphasized that the statewide award affirms the breadth of their efforts—encompassing both visible achievements and the support that occurs quietly behind the scenes.

“Receiving this award from the Utah School Counselors Association is incredibly meaningful,” they said. “It represents more than just recognition; it validates the countless hours our team invests in supporting students, collaborating with staff, and building a program that truly serves every member of our school community.”

Above all, they conveyed that this honor strengthens their commitment to continuously evolving their services.

“Most importantly, this recognition inspires us to keep growing, innovating, and advocating for students,” the team concluded. “It’s a reminder that what we do matters and that the Park City High School community is stronger because of our shared commitment to student success.”