MSCA Advocate Of The Year
Congratulations to our 2024 advocates of the year
Rylee Sommers-Flanagan and Constance Van Kley, Upper Seven Law
Upper Seven Law Firm is committed to advancing social justice and public interest objectives, this firm takes smart risks and invests the time
necessary to build foundations for long-term accountability work.
● Rylee and Constance lead the charge to challenge SB 99 in Montana and have since partnered with ACLU to continue this lawsuit.
● SB 99 has impacted the work of school counselors, creating a conflict in our professional ethical obligations. It has also impacted our students.
● MSCA acknowledges Rylee and Constance for advocating for school counselors, students and the many others who are impacted by this legislation.
Past Advocates of the Year:
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2023 - Mike Ellis, Adminstrator, K. William Harvey Elementary, Ronan
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2022 - Sara Cole, Director of Special Programs for Kalispell Public Schools, Kalispell
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2021 - Wendy Hansmann, Hamilton School District, Hamilton
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2020 - Amy Leary, MT Post Secondary Educational Opportunities Council
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2019 - Susan Anderson, Lewis & Clark Elementary, Missoula
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2018 - Frenchtown Administration (Jake Haynes, Mark McMurray, Riley Devins, and Aaron Griffin), Frenchtown Schools
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2017 - Todd Garrison, Elevate Montana
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2016 - Kathy Olson, Billings Public Schools, Billings
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2015 - Jennifer Courtney, Big Sky HS, Missoula
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2014 - Brian Ayers, Chief Joseph Middle, Bozeman & Deb Black, Skyview High School, Billings
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2013 - Mary Johnson, Browning Public Schools, Browning
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2012 - Heather Davis-Schmidt, Missoula County Public Schools, Missoula
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2011 - Barry Grace, Kalispell Middle, Kalispell
