Pilgrim Park Middle School Counselor Cindy Lakatos has been named the recipient of the 2026 Wisconsin School Counselor Association (WSCA) Changemaker Award, honoring her exceptional leadership in advancing student access, equity, and success. This statewide recognition celebrates school counselors who make a lasting impact by removing barriers, expanding opportunities, and creating systems that help every student thrive. Lakatos will be formally recognized in November 2025 at WSCA’s Annual Conference in Wisconsin Dells.

The Changemaker Award honors individuals who have led meaningful, systemic improvements to ensure that all students have the support, resources, and encouragement needed to reach their full potential.

Dr. Amie Farley, Elmbrook’s Director of College, Career, and Life Readiness, nominated Lakatos for the honor. Farley shared, “Through her role as counseling department chair and continuous improvement team member, she has integrated mental health programming into the school’s multi-tiered system of supports, building lasting infrastructure that supports each student’s academic, career, and social/emotional development. Students report an increase in a sense of belonging, and office discipline referrals have decreased.”

Farley continued, “Cindy Lakatos demonstrates powerful advocacy for students’ mental health by designing targeted supports that meet the needs of specific subgroups. She leads DBT and anxiety groups to help students develop coping strategies, coordinates Discovery Retreats that empower student voice through leadership and continuous improvement teams, and facilitates initiatives like the Girl Power Club and Words Hurt Group to foster inclusion and belonging.”

Each year, WSCA recognizes school counselors who make a profound impact on their students and the profession. Through their vision, advocacy, and action, these changemakers inspire positive, lasting change that strengthens entire school communities. Nominations are carefully reviewed by the WSCA Professional Recognition & Scholarship Committee, composed of active and retired school counselors who evaluate each nominee’s contributions to the field.

Lakatos’s recognition highlights Elmbrook Schools’ continued dedication to fostering environments where every student feels empowered to reach their full potential.