Ms. Reginia Meredith
VCA Award Presentation & Remarks by Callie Cook,
Past-President, Historian, and Board Advisor for ROACA
On behalf of the Roanoke Area Counselors Association (ROACA) board members, it is my privilege to present the prestigious John R. Cook Award to Ms. Regina Meredith.
Dr. Cook led a distinguished career as a school counselor and as guidance staff at the Virginia Department of Education (DOE). He became the DOE’s Director of Guidance in 1972 and held the position for nearly ten years. Dr. Cook was instrumental in developing and implementing school counseling standards which are cornerstone in education. School counselors are vital to holistic student wellbeing and success in education. School Counselors are advocates and visionaries. When I think of what it means to embody the identity of a school
counselor, as well as a natural leader and mentor, I think of Regina Meredith.
Ms. Meredith began a career in education in 1977 as an English teacher. She worked as an English teacher and Special Education teacher until 2000. Ms. Meredith began her career as a school counselor in 2000 at Christiansburg High School. In 2005, she became a counselor at Salem High School and worked there until she retired in 2018. Ms. Meredith served as the School Counseling Coordinator at Salem High School from 2013 until 2018.
During her time at Christiansburg High School, in conjunction with the local Community Services Board, New River Community Services, Ms. Meredith helped train students to work with their peers and the community. Her students would visit elementary schools as part of an anti-smoking campaign, participated in community dialogues with polices officers, and volunteered in events that involved assisting with community needs. During a special school event, more than 900 students, faculty, and community volunteers participated in structured
dialogues with small groups of various grade levels, socioeconomic statuses, and academic levels.
At Salem High School, Ms. Meredith started a Clothes Closet for students in need. She also developed a New Student Ambassador Program that allowed student leaders to pair with new students. Ms. Meredith started the Rachel’s Challenge Club, an organization designed to promote positive school cultures and end school violence. She worked to train students after the first Friends of Rachel Assembly. In addition, Ms. Meredith served on the Virginia Tech Clinical Faculty Team as a Team Leader and founding member of VTCF as well as a member of the Virginia Tech Professional Education Committee.
Ms. Meredith has received several notable recognitions throughout her career including: Virginia Alliance for School Counselors Member of the Year (2021), Roanoke Area Counselors Association Member of the Year (2014), Salem High School Teacher of the Year (2012), Virginia Tech College of Liberal Arts and Human Services School of Education 2010 Excellence in Education Award for Salem High School’s New Student Transition Program (2010), National Board Certified Teacher, School Counseling in Early Childhood-Young Adult (2008), National Certified Counselor (NCC) and National Certified School Counselor (NCSC) (2009), New River Community Services Board Outstanding Volunteer of the Year (1995-96), Montgomery County Outstanding Employee (1994-95), Rho Chi Epsilon Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, Vice President Exemplary Student Leadership and Service (1993). Ms. Meredith has presented at countless conferences, consortiums, committees, and in-services on advocacy, new student transitions, counseling organizations, mentor programs, and leadership.
In addition to the countless contributions Ms. Meredith has made to the schools and communities in which she has worked, she has been an instrumental leader and mentor in the Virginia Counselors Association, Roanoke Area Counselors Association, and Virginia Alliance for School Counselors. Ms. Meredith served on the Chapter Board of Representatives for the Virginia Counselors Association in 2013-2014, Chapter Council Chair from 2014-2015, Treasurer Elect in 2016, and VCA Treasurer from 2017-2019. For the Roanoke Area Counselors
Association, Ms. Meredith served in the following leadership roles; Historian/Awards Chair 2009-2012, President 2013-2014, Past President 2014-2015, and has been an instrumental mentor, advocacy chair, and board advisor from 2015 until 2021. Ms. Meredith served as the Treasurer for the Virginia Alliance for School Counselors from 2019-2021.
Ms. Meredith instills in her mentees that being involved with organizations and leadership is vital to our professional growth. Ms. Meredith supervised countless practicum and internship students throughout her career. Ms. Meredith has noted on many occasions that serving as a supervisor is one of her proudest accomplishments as she was able to provide meaningful opportunities and guide future counselors along their journey.
I am beyond honored to present Ms. Regina Meredith with this prestigious award. Ms. Meredith embodies the tenets selflessness, compassion, advocacy, and justice which encompass the John R. Cook Award. Some people are destined to be counselors and their mark will be felt for a lifetime – this is true for Ms. Meredith. She has devoted her career to serving, advocating, and making a way when there was a need. Ms. Meredith truly cares for the welfare of others, her community, and the counseling profession. As a result of her mentorship, she has empowered generations of counselors and continues to support the valuable work of professional counselors.