Sarasota Middle School surprises school counselor with national award

When Carmen Larson was summoned to the media center at Sarasota Middle School on Nov. 21, she thought it was just another matter to resolve.

Instead, she was greeted with confetti, students, a performance by the school band, teachers and family members. 

Larson was revealed as the recipient of the 2025 School Counselor of the Year Award by the American School Counselor Association, being chosen among all 50 U.S. states and three territories.

"I'm elated, thrilled," she said. "It's just unbelievably — just the biggest honor that I've ever been bestowed, quite frankly. I love this profession, and I love this work. I'm so passionate about this work, so to be recognized for something that I love so much means all the much more."

Photo by Ian Swaby

Attendees, including Principal Jennifer Nzeza, praised Larson's passion for her work.

"We are so proud of you for achieving this incredible accolade, but it could not be more well-deserved," Nzeza said. "As I've said to you before, you form strong bonds with your students, you are an advocate for school counseling like nobody's ever seen before. You are a master problem solver, which I so love; you make my job so much easier. And, your passion for all you do, is palpable. It's truly an honor to work with you, and to know you, and to learn from you every day."

Larson, who has a Ph. D. in school counseling from the University of Florida, served twice as chair of the Florida School Counselor Association.

She was also named the association's 2024 Florida School Counselor of the Year in Oct. 2023, which allowed her to advance to a finalist at the national level.

Photo by Ian Swaby

Nzeza said Larson is extremely dedicated to her work, as well as the students she serves. 

"She is such a hard worker," Nzeza said. "She's here early in the morning, late in the afternoon, she spends time going above and beyond, getting to know all of her kids."

She said Larson forms relationships with kids' friend groups and families, and is able to head off issues before they start, performing lots of peer mediation.

She also called Larson "so involved in our district as a whole," noting she creates a data and goal-based counseling plan for Sarasota Middle School each year, something she has now implemented district-wide, with the district's support. 

Her family said at home, her passion for the role is evident.

"I know that she works so hard and she loves her job so much..." said Larson's daughter Ava Larson, 17. "She always tells me the only thing that she could talk about is school counseling. She could talk about it for hours, and she just loves it so much."

Photo by Ian Swaby

"I'm just very proud of her," said her husband, Kris Larson. "I'm glad that she's doing what she's doing, and I'm sure (the award) will resonate and have a great impact for more kids, and people, in schools."

Indeed, as Nzeza said, the significance of the award goes beyond Larson herself, but also extends to the school and the district as a whole. 

"It's just really special, because, obviously, it's an accolade for her, but it's also an accolade for our school and our district, so to have somebody so well respected and such a valued member in her own field and giving back to so many, we just feel so fortunate."

This story has been updated to correct the award year.