Happy National School Counseling Week! Sponsored by the American School Counselor Association, this special week runs from February 7–11 to honor and acknowledge the incredible impact that high school counselors have on students across the country. We recently sent a survey to the CollegeXpress community asking students if they’d like to send a personalized thank you to their counselor. We were overwhelmed with responses, and emails will be sent to all recipients very soon! Here are just a few of our favorite thoughtful messages that students wrote. We hope they brighten your day (and week)!
Danielle Collins, Osceola High School
Dear Mrs. Collins, thank you for all the help and advice you have given me through my college application process. I know I can come to you with any question and you will do your best to answer it. I really, really appreciate your patience, dedication, and help. If it wasn’t for you, I would feel really lost in this process. — Abigail, Class of 2022
Selina Abraham, University High School Academy
Thank you for your time and dedicated work, especially in a pandemic where we can't exactly speak face-to-face. Communication has been a lot harder, but I appreciate you sending out my letter of recommendation and transcripts. It's the little things that count, and all the little things add up. I wanted to thank you again for helping me out on this college application journey. — Erika, Class of 2022
Mr. Lomax, Nansemond River High School
Hey, Mr. Lomax! Thank you for all you've done for us students. If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t even think about the opportunities and the abilities [we have] with our academics. Your hard work and dedication have shown throughout our school and to me! I appreciate your help in leading us in the right direction, not just in school but beyond to college. I just want you to know I appreciate you! Thank you, sir! —Trey Williams, Class of 2024
James Evans, Suncoast Community High School
Thank you, Mr. Evans. Managing our senior class is a tremendous responsibility with all our applications, recommendations, deadlines, and so much more I am unaware you do for us in the background. You are terrific and we are grateful for your time and support. You put the SUN in Suncoast! 😊 — Christopher Maraj, Class of 2022
Jessica Bowen, Escuela Internacional Sampedrana
Dear Ms. Bowen, I am writing you this short letter in advance as National School Counseling Week is approaching. I am very happy with the help you have provided me. Being a student who knew nothing about universities in the US, whose parents studied in Honduras, and who will be the first in his family to go study in the US, it's very difficult and challenging to face this process. But I am very thankful for your help and look forward to continue in conversation with you as I approach the most difficult part yet...comparing offers! Thank you very much. — Manuel Vallejo, Class of 2022
Katie Brewer, Altus High School
Ms. Brewer, since day one of being a newbie in an American school, you've been there for me. You helped me through finding classes that fit my needs. You listened to my problems and supported me, even if they were just small teenage problems. Your help is really appreciated by not only me but my parents as well. They're glad I'm doing the best I can in school with my new AP classes. Thanks to you, I've also found some great new friends. I don’t know where I would be without you. Thank you so, so much for all you've done for me and countless others in our school. — Kaylee Brown, Class of 2024
Hector Vazquez, Adlai E. Stevenson High School
Mr. Vazquez, thank you for all you have done for me over the course of my high school career, especially for offering support in my extracurricular endeavors. Because of your guidance, I've been able to accomplish many of my goals and prepare myself for college. Once again, I thank you for your dedication to your role as counselor, and I know you will continue to be a support system for all your other students! — Jason, Class of 2023
Jillian Durante, Laurel Springs School
Hello Ms. Durante! I wanted to thank you for all that you've done to help me along my journey through the end of high school and up to college. I definitely would not have been able to make it this far without your help. I honestly was completely lacking any sort of direction to take before we began discussing college options and plans, and I likely would not have even retaken the SAT if it weren't for your advice, meaning that I would have been far out of the league of my future college. Thanks to your advice, however, I was able to push myself enough to be considered and later accepted by my dream college. So, again, thank you for all the help you've given me throughout my journey! I hope you have a great week! — Cameron Marotti, Class of 2022
Enid Cochran, Pahokee High School
You've been the biggest help to me all throughout my high school years. You've helped me whenever I asked for it, and you always made time for me and my friends. You explained everything in such an easy way and exposed me to so many amazing opportunities. You're truly so amazing, and I'm very grateful to you. You're more than just our school's counselor—you're one of the few people at school that we can rely on. You are amazing. Thank you very much. — Tasnia, Class of 2022
Beth Fawcett, Clements High School
Ms. Fawcett, I sincerely thank you for your efforts in counseling hundreds of teens through their high school journey. I appreciate all you've done for me and countless others. The late nights, crazy to-do lists, and difficult tasks are a challenge, but you manage to do it all. I hope you never forget how important you are to your students. Many thanks! — Natalia Camelo, Class of 2025
Kim Green, Jerome High School
Thank you for always giving me the motivation and energy to do better not only for myself but for the school. You're such an amazing person and counselor, and I appreciate everything you've done for me and all the times you've taken time out of your busy day for me and my education. You're truly one of a kind, and I couldn't even describe how much of a positive influence you are. — Angela, Class of 2022
Shea Carter, Brandon High School
Mrs. Carter, since day one of stepping into your office you've provided me with assistance, helping to make my time and experience at Brandon High School an absolute ease. Thank you so much for your kindness and, most importantly, your guidance. — Davin Ratliff, Class of 2022
Bill Holloway, Worthington Christian School
Mr. Holloway, thank you for being an awesome counselor! You have been a big help to me in my college preparation. You are always available to assist when needed with no delay. I appreciate everything you have done and are doing to make my senior year a smooth transition to college! — Briana Plummer, Class of 2022
Breanne Sabol, Marina High School
I am so grateful to have had you as my counselor during my high school years. As you may know, everyone talks about how you are the most kind and understanding counselor at the school. I was so happy to have gotten you because my previous counselor from my freshman year was pretty difficult to talk to. She was known to be quite tough on students and not very easy to talk to. So to my surprise, talking to you was the complete opposite. I am also so glad that you convinced me to stay in AP Stats, especially when I was feeling very overwhelmed about it. I needed this type of challenge and you knew I had the potential to persevere through that difficult class. I did not ever imagine I would even pass because of how difficult the curriculum was. You will forever have my gratitude. — Mandy, Class of 2022
Nichelle Dixon, Woodlawn High School
This year has been tough on all of us, especially for you! You guys keep saying that "I'm happy to help," "Let me know if you need anything else," and of course we keep coming back to you for guidance. So I'm going to take a moment to say thank you and be grateful for what you have done for me. [The college application process] wasn't easy with those requirements and essays, but you helped me make all of [my acceptances] possible. Thank you. — Fridosse, Class of 2022
Theresa Albrecht, Homeschool
Thanks, Mom, for everything you do. I know homeschooling is hard and counseling me through the high school years isn't easy. You have to help me schedule SAT/ACT tests, tutors, register for dual enrollment classes, and work with colleges, so thank you! — Audrey, Class of 2023
Counselors, all your efforts don’t go unnoticed! We hope you have a great week and rest of the school year. And if you’re looking for ways to make your job a little easier, be sure to check out the CollegeXpress Resources page for free tools to help with college planning, the scholarship search, and more.
