A small crowd filled the Piedmont Unified School District Wellness Center on Thursday, May 29, to honor Amanda Carlson, Piedmont High School counselor and second Brooke Zimmerman plaque award recipient. Carlson accepted the distinction for her outstanding service to Piedmont students and her partnership with the Wellness Center, the district’s hub for student mental health support.
The Wellness Center, located behind the library at Piedmont High School, provides free mental health services to Piedmont Middle, High and Millennium students. The support given there is in high demand. During the 2024-2025 school year, the Wellness Center provided over 2,000 hours of student therapy, and 150 Piedmont students received ongoing support. These numbers reflect the Center’s reach and it’s critical role in meeting student’s mental health needs.
Wellness Center co-founder and former Piedmont teacher Brooke Zimmerman attended the celebration with her grandson, Cy Leonard, a fifth-grader at Beach Elementary. Zimmerman and a small committee founded the Center in 2007 to address rising student stress and anxiety levels.
Today, the Wellness Center has become a regional model, inspiring schools such as Castro Valley High School to open wellness centers based on Piedmont’s example.
Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Hawn and Assistant Superintendent Ariel Dolowich also joined the ceremony. “We are committed to supporting the Wellness Center as a thriving part of our school programs,” Dr. Hawn affirmed, highlighting the PUSD’s dedication to student well-being. Millennium High School Principal Irma Muñoz opened the awards ceremony by reminding attendees why the Center’s mission matters: “The work of supporting student mental health is not just important – it is essential,” she said.
Her words set the tone for the tribute to Carlson, who echoed that sentiment. “I could not do my job or serve my students without the partnership of the Wellness Center,” she said.
Sustaining the Wellness Center requires ongoing community involvement. Each year, the Wellness Center Support Committee – a dedicated group of Piedmont parents – raises the funds necessary to maintain current service levels. Their efforts, combined with district support, ensure that the Center remains a cornerstone of the PUSD’s holistic approach to education.
The Brooke Zimmerman plaque stands as a testament to the counselors, staff and volunteers who show up for Piedmont students every day. With Amanda Carlson’s name now engraved alongside last year’s inaugural honoree, the award continues to spotlight the individuals whose compassion, expertise and commitment make the Wellness Center a vital resource for Piedmont students.
You can learn more about the PUSD Wellness Center or to make a donation HERE
Wellness Center Parent Committee Samantha Nobles Block, Sarah Meyjes, Cortney Allen, and Dana Lung 
PHS Counselor Amanda Carlson says a few words after receiving the Brook Zimmerman Recognition award 
Brooke Zimmerman and her grandson Cy Leonard