HUNLOCK CREEK, Pa. — As children filled the gymnasium at Ross Elementary in Luzerne County, Allison Everett, the school counselor, thought it was going to be a typical assembly.
"I thought it was a PTO assembly about a book fair, and I was asked to take some pictures, so that's what I thought it was doing," she said.
Everett didn't notice her husband and parents were in the audience.
"I had all my eyes on the students and just kind of making sure everything was going OK, so I didn't even pay attention to the side."
"We are here at Ross Elementary School to present our School Counselor of the Year Award to Allison Everett," said Shelby Valvano, president of the School Counselors of Northeastern PA.
Ross Elementary Principal Matt Nonnenberg nominated Everett for the award.
"She goes above and beyond any tasks given to her," Nonnenberg said. "She does an outstanding job, loves the kids, and the kids love her. So, I couldn't imagine someone else getting this this award."
The principal wanted to make sure that everyone was there to celebrate when he found out she won.
"I'm just so shocked and honored," Everett said. "I just adore my kids here at Ross, and every day is super exciting. It can be challenging, but I'm just very thankful to be part of Ross Elementary and work with such great staff and students. So, I was definitely overwhelmed."