Guidance director receives award

BREWER – Daunted by the tasks associated with moving back into her office after recent renovations at Brewer High School, Guidance Director Ronel Delano-Ellis hadn’t planned to attend this year’s fall conference of the Maine School Counselor Association.

It was only after coaxing from Principal Jerry Goss that Ellis agreed to take time out to attend. What Goss knew at that time – but Ellis didn’t – was that Ellis had been selected as Maine’s High School Guidance Counselor of the Year. The award was presented to her during MESCA’s annual gathering, held earlier this month at Sugarloaf/USA.

“Ronnie makes a difference in the lives of our young people each day by her interaction, encouragement and support of their efforts to pursue their dreams,” wrote Goss in a letter nominating Ellis for the award. As he sees it, Ellis’ efforts are responsible for nearly 70 percent of Brewer High seniors entering college each year and the others leaving high school with a plan to meet their dreams.

As Brewer High’s guidance director since 1985, Ellis oversees a student services operation consisting of two additional counselors, a school nurse and a chemical health coordinator. She also has supervised school counselor interns from the University of Maine for more than 15 years, conducts financial aid meetings each year for students and parents and is active in a variety of professional organizations. For more than a decade, Ellis also has implemented annual workshops on post-secondary school opportunities, featuring three in-state presenters and three out-of-state presenters in alternating years.

Recent correspondence suggests that Ellis’ impact on students has lasted long beyond graduation. In a letter to Ellis, Brewer High alumnus Michael Amato described how Ellis helped him become a successful adult despite significant personal challenges during his senior year.

“When I looked back at that period, I was trying to remember what it was that kept me going when things were so bad,” Amato wrote. “Without a doubt, you were my major support during my senior year. In fact, you were the most influential person in all of my high school years.

“I still remember you encouraging me to apply to study abroad opportunities, getting my college application fees waived and generally being supportive of my academic career,” he continued. “For this I offer my most sincere thanks, because you made a huge difference in my life. I hope you realize how important you are to Brewer High School.”

Due in large part to Ellis’ help, Amato wrote, he went on to earn a doctor of chiropractic degree and joined a practice in Staunton, Va., where he now lives with his wife and daughter. He contributes to his community as a board member of the local chapter of Big Brothers/Big Sisters and as a member of the public library’s advisory board.