Dale Bonavita, counselor at Falcon Virtual Academy, explained her recognition by the Colorado Department of Education as online and blended counselor of the year during a Board of Education meeting May 14 in District 49.

Bonavita earned the state honors during the 2014-2015 school year for successfully supporting student social and emotional needs and college and career goals. As the academy’s enrollment surged to more than 500 students, her positive impact was found in high graduation rates and college scholarship awards.

She works closely with students to verify they’re earning credits on time, arranging college visits, finding meaningful career paths and completing college applications. As a result of that encouragement and guidance, the number of students heading to college increased by more than 30 percent.

A student graduating this year recently sent her a note:

“There have been times in the last two years where I felt like I wasn't strong or smart enough to figure out my future or finish my classes, but every time you held my hand and walked me through it.

"You have made my senior year such a breeze, and it has truly been one of the best schools I have ever been to because of you.”