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SHS counselor receives MCCA’s Pathfinder of the Year Award
SIKESTON — A Sikeston Public Schools counselor has been honored for her dedication to students and education.
Sikeston High School senior counselor Kim Thornbrough received the Missouri Community College Association, or MCCA, Pathfinder of the Year Award at MCCA’s annual conference last month in Branson, Missouri. Every November, MCCA’s faculty and staff gather for an annual conference to honor those who have made a significant impact on students and institutions.
Thornbrough, who has worked for Sikeston R-6 Schools since 1999 and at Sikeston High School since 2007, was celebrated for her “unwavering commitment and significant impact on students” by winning the award.
Thornbrough has worked with seniors every year since she started at the high school, and she has been a valuable asset ever since. She has established the Sikeston High School Link Crew freshman orientation program, the ACT prep program and more.
“As the senior counselor, I just enjoy the job as a whole,” Thornbrough said. “I enjoy helping students apply for scholarships and apply to colleges. The best part is when students get the scholarships they worked hard for or get accepted to colleges. It’s rewarding to see how excited the students get.”
Thornbrough has also been an advocate for Three Rivers College, having coordinated high school dual credit for SHS students and working closely with Amanda Taylor, who is Three Rivers College’s dual credit coordinator.
According to Thornbrough, Taylor suggested she be nominated by Three Rivers College for the MCCA Pathfinder of the Year Award.
Thornbrough also said she is the sponsor adviser for the College Now program, which allows students to earn an associate’s degree while also earning a high school diploma beginning in their junior year.
Thornbrough said she is invested in her students’ success and communicates with her dual credit students to celebrate their accomplishments.
Thornbrough said she believes that her position as Sikeston High School senior counsellor is exactly where she should be.
“I truly do enjoy coming to work every day,” Thornbrough said.
According to Thornbrough, one of her favorite memories was when one of her students applied to several prestigious colleges and was admitted to multiple.
“Another memorable moment is when one of my students was a QuestBridge finalist and won a full ride to her dream college,” Thornbrough said.
Thornbrough was previously named the Southeast Missouri School Counselor Association High School Counselor of the Year, serves as the Department Chair for all counselors in the Sikeston R-6 district, sponsors the National Honors Society, and is frequently nominated by students as counselor of the month.
Thornbrough said she felt honored to receive the MCCA Pathfinder of the Year Award.
“Winning this award was definitely a highlight of my career,” Thornbrough said. “Amanda Taylor, the dual credit director, and I have formed a good partnership to offer a variety of dual credit classes to our students. The name of this award describes exactly what I do every day.
She continued: “As school counselors, our jobs are to help our students become successful after they graduate from high school, whatever their path may be.”