The hum of chatter filled the air as faculty walked into the Black Box, morning coffee in hand, to take their seats, under the impression they were attending a regularly scheduled faculty meeting. Bright lights illuminated the stage as principal April Adams addressed the crowd and, instead of proceeding as “normal,” invited the Missouri School Counselors Association (MSCA) onto the stage.

Counseling Department Chair Brenda Wiederholt was announced as the winner of the prestigious Secondary School Counselor of the Year for the state of Missouri. MSCA award winners are nominated by their peers and serve as resources and role models for other counselors as well as the students that they serve. Wiederholt was chosen out of the over 1,600 other counselors. District leaders, LPS staff, colleagues, family and the members of MSCA congratulated Wiederholt with a standing ovation and cheers as she made her way onto the stage.

“At Liberty High School, working with such a great team is extremely rewarding,” Wiederholt said. “It’s how you function and are successful.”

Wiederholt will be presented at the Missouri capitol building in December as the School Counselor of the Year and attend the American School Counselor Association for National School Counselor of the Year as the Missouri nominee in 2022.