BRTC Career Coach Francesca Shearer Awarded

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Black River Technical College (BRTC) Paragould High School Career Coach Francesca Shearer was recently awarded the Our Community Salutes (OCS), USA, General Colin L. Powell Memorial Service Award presented by USAA.

The award is given on behalf of OCS, USA, to a guidance counselor whose service, compassion, and commitment serve as an example for all. Shearer was nominated by Chief Thomas Russell of the U.S. Navy who turned in a compelling narrative on her work with students, her personal commitment to lifelong learning, and the impact she has on the mission for USAA military recruiters.

“Receiving this award was amazing and humbling! Out of all of the awesome career coaches and high school counselors in Northeast Arkansas,” said Shearer, “I still can’t believe I was selected for the service award at the first OCS ceremony in our region.”

According to ourcommunitysalutes.org, The Colin Powell Award, named after General Colin Powell, U.S. Army (Ret.), is a public service award that is presented to high school counselors in recognition of providing guidance, counseling, and mentoring for students as they assess their accomplishments, talents, and interests as they move forward in their lives. The award is provided to one guidance counselor in each local organization and represents all counselors within the school’s program whose service, compassion, and commitment serve as an example for all of us.

OCS is a national, non-profit organization helping communities recognize, honor, and support high school seniors who plan to enlist in the U.S. Armed Services after graduation.

OCS was founded in 2009 by educator and former U.S. Army officer, Dr. Kenneth Hartman, to provide enlistees and their parents with guidance, information, resources, and community support from like-minded enlistees and parents as their son or daughter transitions into military service. Our Community Salutes include community leaders, government officials, educators, businessmen, and veterans who feel strongly about the importance of community support and recognition of the patriotic young adults who will enlist in the military after graduation. Our Community Salutes was founded in 2009 with the inaugural OCS of the South Jersey community.