Affton School Counselor Receives Highest State Honor

Mary Carpenter, college counselor at Affton High School, recently received the 2013 Peggy Clinton Memorial Service Award, the highest honor the Missouri Association of College Admission Counseling (MOACAC) recognizes.

Carpenter has served as a counselor at Affton High School for 27 years; the last two as college counselor, according to a school press release.

“As a long-standing member of MOACAC, I am so honored to have been selected for this award,” said Carpenter. “We work hard so that every student has a post-secondary plan in place. I hope my students know that they are all worthy; the student in the floor-laying program at South County Tech is just as important to me as the student matriculating to a selective college.”

Affton Principal Dr. Sue Jackson said Carpenter has shown amazing strength and endurance in working with the students.

“We couldn’t be more proud of her, and grateful that she is able to work with our students every day,” Jackson said.

About The Peggy Clinton Memorial Service Award

Founded in 1984, the Peggy Clinton Memorial Service Award program honors high school and college counselors who have shown amazing qualities in supporting the students and their schools.

Peggy Clinton epitomized the role of the true admission professional. Some of those qualities include being detail-focused and caring for the well-being of the students with whom she worked; she had a sense of humor and style. She was an active member of MOACAC and worked during the 60’s and 70’s for William Woods College. Peggy was respected, admired and loved by all.

In 1981, she was stricken by a stroke before a national fair and died soon afterward. In her memory, the Peggy Clinton Memorial Service Award was created. This award is bestowed upon an admission professional who exemplifies the qualities that made Peggy so special.