FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LAGUNA BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
CONTACT: ANAKAREN CÁRDENAS UREÑO
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & ENGAGEMENT
(949) 497-7700 EXT. 5232 | AURENO@LBUSD.ORG

January 14, 2026

Laguna Beach USD counselor Marianne Lawson named 2025–26 Orange County Elementary School Counselor of the Year

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. – Laguna Beach Unified School District today announced that Marianne Lawson, an elementary school counselor at El Morro Elementary School, has been named the 2025–26 Orange County Elementary School Counselor of the Year by the Orange County Department of Education.

The annual recognition honors school counselors who demonstrate exceptional dedication to student well-being, academic success, and social-emotional development. Lawson was selected from among counselors throughout Orange County. She has served students and families in LBUSD since 2016.

As the school counselor at El Morro Elementary School, Lawson provides comprehensive support across three domains: personal and social development, academic concerns, and career awareness. She delivers both direct and indirect services to students, teachers, administrators, and parents to support student success and help students reach their full academic potential. Her work includes individual and small-group counseling, classroom presentations on counseling-related topics at the request of teachers or staff, and consultation with parents and educators on student or family concerns that may impact learning. 

“Ms. Lawson's energy, expertise, care, and concern for our students and families have made a positive impact on improving school climate and culture, as well as individual student academic progress and well-being,” said El Morro Elementary School Principal Julie Hatchel, Ed.D.  “From providing classroom lessons, to group and individual counseling to sponsoring parent/community workshops, her benevolence and passion for helping others are deeply felt and appreciated,” she concluded.

As part of the recognition, Lawson will be honored during the Orange County Counselor Symposium on Feb. 4, 2026, in Costa Mesa, and will participate as a panelist in a professional learning session highlighting best practices from Orange County’s School Counselors of the Year. She will also be recognized throughout the year leading up to the next award season.

LBUSD provides a comprehensive system of social-emotional support that promotes student achievement, confidence, resilience, and strong social problem-solving skills. Each school is supported by a dedicated school psychologist, social worker, and counseling team, with districtwide coordination through a Coordinator of Family Engagement to strengthen partnerships with families.

For more information about Laguna Beach Unified School District, visit www.lbusd.org. 

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