Hillary Press passed away on Nov. 15, 2022, at the age of 51.
Press graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1993 with a degree in social work and then a master's degree in 1998. She also obtained a master’s degree in counseling and development in 2008 from George Mason University.
She was a fierce and passionate advocate for children, and she worked as a school counselor and a family partnerships specialist for Fairfax County Public Schools. Her leadership roles included president of the Virginia Counselors Association, ACA Southern Region chair and ACA Southern Region Governing Council representative. Press was awarded the 2012-2013 Fairfax County Public Schools Elementary Counselor of the Year Award and the 2013 Virginia Counselors Association Counselor of the Year Award. Her legislative advocacy included serving on the Lieutenant Governor’s Commonwealth Council for Childhood Success, which focused on the Virginia HJ486 Mental Health Screening in Elementary Schools Survey Team (2015-17). In January 2014, she received a Commending Resolution from the Virginia legislature that honored her efforts on behalf of low-income students and families.
Press used her voice to lift others in her school, community and profession. She was a role model and mentor to colleagues, fellow counselors, counselors-in-training and counseling leaders.
She was preceded in death by her father, Michael. She is survived by her husband, Michael (Richard), their three children, Elissa, Tabitha, and Rory and husky Blaze.
Donations can be made in Hillary’s honor to Small/Large Cell Cervical Cancer Research at MD Anderson Cancer Center here or to a GoFundMe in support of her children here.
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