A Night With Stars Awardee Highlight: Dr. Kynedra Ogunnaike
With almost 30 years of experience as a counselor, the 2025 Community Collaboration Award Recipient says that the work of a high school counselor is never finished.
Dr. Kynedra Ogunnaike can tell you about every single student in the Senior Class.
From community service to their post-graduate plans, Dr. Ogunnaike keeps a binder with every senior’s information, and you will see her frequently walking through the halls, interacting with students and checking in with them daily.
This also extends to staff, as she created an open-door climate so that their needs and concerns for students are heard and met.
For her efforts, “Dr. O” as she is affectionately called by students and staff, was nominated by her peers and recognized by The Community Impact Network, being one of three recipients awarded the Community Collaboration Award in December 2025. The award was presented during the Network’s Fourth Annual A Night with the Stars Celebration, which honors the achievements of direct service providers in the network.
Dr. O joined the Normandy Schools Collaborative as Lead Counselor in August 2025, where she serves as the Senior Counselor at Normandy High School. Before joining Normandy Schools Collaborative, she worked at St. Louis Public Schools, where she served as a high school counselor for almost 29 years.
The Community Collaboration Award is presented to an individual who builds meaningful and effective partnerships, working together with fellow providers, organizations, and community members to create stronger and more effective systems. Dr. O’s peers felt that she sets the standard for teamwork and collaboration.
“Dr. O builds trust through empathy, integrity and passion. She goes above and beyond to make sure every student and colleague feels seen, heard and valued. She is a team player who values input from everyone and who often asks for collaboration and conversations before decisions are made,” according to her nomination for the Community Collaboration Award..
In continuing her efforts as a Community Collaborator, she now plans on connecting with fellow award winners, The Blade Runners, a group of young entrepreneurs who attend Normandy High School and were Emerging Changemaker Award Recipients this year.
“One of the most meaningful outcomes of the night has been the connection I’ve made with the 10th grade students who were also recognized. I’ve promised to support them as they work to grow their small business and strengthen their social media presence,” Dr. O said.
Dr. O says that she was incredibly honored to receive the Community Collaboration Award and is appreciative of the Community Impact Network for acknowledging her efforts.
The entire evening was absolutely amazing and truly just what I needed to give me that extra push as I wrap up the semester. I was incredibly honored to be to receive the Community Collaborator Award—especially during my first year at Normandy High School, where I came in as the lead counselor, agent of change and a proud servant leader.
