Senate Resolution No. 909

BY: Senator DEFRANCISCO

HONORING Dana Pierce upon the occasion of being
selected as a New York State Representative at the
2017 School Counselor of the Year Ceremony

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor and
recognize those dedicated professionals, who strive to enhance the
quality of education for our students, and whose character,
accomplishments and community contributions inspire all citizens of this
great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Dana Pierce upon the occasion of being selected as a New York State
Representative at the American School Counselor Association's 2017
School Counselor of the Year Ceremony, which was held at the White House
on January 6, 2017; and

WHEREAS, During the American School Counselor Association's (ASCA)
Counselor of the Year Ceremony, Dana Pierce was one of 50 school
counselors nationwide honored by former First Lady Michelle Obama for
her notable contributions to the field; and

WHEREAS, Dana Pierce was invited to participate in this year's White
House celebration because in 2015, she was named New York State's
Counselor of the Year by the New York State School Counselor Association
(NYSSCA); and

WHEREAS, Dana Pierce, originally from Pennsylvania, earned a
Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Pennsylvania State
University in 1989; she later went on to earn a Master of Science degree
in Counseling Services from the State University of New York (SUNY) at
Oswego; and

WHEREAS, Dana Pierce then acquired New York State Certifications as
an alcoholism and substance abuse counselor and as a licensed mental
health counselor from the New York State Office of Alcoholism and
Substance Abuse Services and the New York Education Department Office of
the Professions; and

WHEREAS, Upon earning her undergraduate degree, Dana Pierce worked
as a chemical dependency counselor at Commonwealth Place in Syracuse,
New York; in this role, Dana facilitated all aspects of treating
chemically-dependent adolescents and adults in a residential setting and
designed and facilitated education, discussion, therapy, and
experiential groups; and

WHEREAS, Subsequently, Dana Pierce worked as a technical specialist
in the Division of Student Services at her alma mater, SUNY Oswego,
where she helped develop an Alcohol and Drug Prevention Education class
as part of an institutional response to substance-related referrals; and

WHEREAS, For the past 22 years, Dana Pierce has served in her
current role as a School Counselor at Fayetteville-Manlius High School

in Manlius, working in all aspects of the field including academic
advising, scheduling, vocation and post-secondary exploration and
planning for approximately 250 students in grades 9 through 12; and

WHEREAS, As a knowledgeable and highly skilled counselor, Dana
Pierce has improved the quality of education at Fayetteville-Manlius
High School by leading and supporting staff with enthusiasm, cultivating
a positive and stimulating school environment for her students, and
creating a greater sense of community; and

WHEREAS, In addition to her counseling responsibilities, Dana Pierce
has been involved with numerous committees including: the OCM BOCES
Youth Development Roundtable Planning Committee; University at Buffalo's
School Counselor Advisory Council; Canisius College's Syracuse Counselor
Advisory Council; SUNY Oswego Counseling Services Program Faculty
Advisory Board; and the Onondaga Mental Health Association's Advisory
Board to Anorexia/Bulimia Support; and

WHEREAS, Additionally, Dana Pierce has been a School Counselor
Representative for the Fayetteville-Manlius Safe, Smart, & Sober program
- a partnership between Fayetteville-Manlius High School and the
community; and

WHEREAS, Dana Pierce has held membership in various professional
associations, including: American School Counselor Association (ASCA);
New York State School Counselor Association (NYSSCA); and the New York
State Association for College Admission Counseling (NYSACAC); and

WHEREAS, In recognition of her hard work and professional
achievements, the New York State School Counselor Association (NYSSCA)
selected Dana Pierce as a 2015 New York Counselor of the Year and was
honored at the NYSSCA annual conference in Lake George on November 20,
2015; and

WHEREAS, For her outstanding efforts over the years, Dana Pierce has
received numerous other accolades, including: the Fayetteville-Manlius
High School "Giraffe Award" and SUNY Oswego's Dr. Donald Snygg Graduate
Scholarship Award; she was also named the Crouse-Irving Memorial
Hospital Health Program's 1993 "Speaker of the Year" for her community
outreach efforts; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the maintenance of high standards in their
profession, certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dana Pierce upon the occasion of being selected as a New York
State Representative at the 2017 School Counselor of the Year Ceremony;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dana Pierce.