It’s the end of National School Counseling Week 2024, and we’re keeping up with one of our favorite traditions: sending special shoutouts from CollegeXpress users to their beloved counselors! We started doing this back in 2020, and every year we are so touched by the sweet messages we receive. This year is no exception; there is some serious love and respect going on for all the hard work counselors do to help guide students along their own unique paths.
National School Counseling Week occurs during the first full week of February every year, and this year’s theme was “School Counseling: Standards-Based, Student-Focused.” We could tell from our survey that there are some great counselors out there who are super focused on helping students achieve their goals. When we asked the CX user database for shoutouts last week, we were overwhelmed with responses! We sent all the messages along to the counselors this week, but we wanted to share just a few of our favorites below. (Trust us—it was hard to pick from them all!)
Steven Pecesky, Churchill Jr. High School
Just wanted to drop a note to say I miss your epic counseling vibes. Quick trip down memory lane—remember when I'd shoot you emails full of questions, and BAM, you'd call me in like a counseling ninja? Good times! Seriously, I've come to appreciate your lightning-speed advice more than ever. My current counselor takes their time, and I'm over here feeling like I'm waiting for a sequel to your speedy replies. Not gonna lie, my current counselor is cool, but they're like the decaf version of your full-strength espresso wisdom. Sending you heaps of counselor love (the non-awkward kind) and hoping life treats you as amazingly as you treated me! — Umme, Class of 2026
Ms. Wright, Millennium 6-12 Collegiate Academy
Thank you for all that you do to ensure that our school and all of its students remain at such an exceptional level. Admittedly, many often overlook the rigor of your job as well as the unwavering dedication you put into it, but I’d like to thank you on behalf of all the students. We’re incredibly fortunate to have you at our school since ultimately all that you do plays a fundamental role in all of our successes. We appreciate you! — Anonymous, Class of 2026
Amy Sanders, Headland High School
Mrs. Sanders, throughout the past couple years, you have been so, so much help. You’ve walked me through so many things that I had no clue how to do on my own. No matter how many times I’d come into your office, even if it was more than once a day, you never made me feel like I was bothering you. And you checked up on me just to see how I was doing personally. I appreciate you so much! — Anonymous, Class of 2024
Matthew Ledesma, Carlmont High School
Thank you, Mr. Ledesma, for all your work in helping to create a positive school environment. Thank you for changing lives for the better one student at a time. I appreciate all the support you have given me. — Kelvin, Class of 2024
David Bryant, Legacy Christian Academy
Dear Mr. Bryant, thank you for being someone who goes the extra mile to help others. Thank you especially for taking time to pray with me. You've been really kind to me and helped me feel welcomed at Legacy. I hope you have an awesome rest of your year! — John, Class of 2024
Chelsea Rodriguez, Ansonia High School
Thank you for being so supportive on my journey towards higher education! Your guidance has allowed me to further discover and pursue my passions. Regardless of changes and challenges, you have continued to persevere and be there for students. Your commitment to students, to me, is admirable. I will keep you updated as I hear back from schools. <3 — Fahmida, Class of 2024
Freddy Garcia, Deer Valley High School
Thank you, Freddy, for being such an amazing and persistent college access counselor at Deer Valley. Your ability to go to your wit's end to earn opportunities and scholarships for your students is outstanding. Through the extensions of your help, I am positive many people will go on to pursue massively successful careers. Thank you for all the time and dedication you devote to all your students—I truly believe I wouldn't be the confident college applicant I am today without you by my side. :) — Bhargav, Class of 2024
Sarah Gerdes, International High School
G, I appreciate you so much. I have learned a lot from you, and you have never failed to try and make yourself a safe space for me. Before you, I would never visit a counselor even if I needed one. Because of you, I have learned so much in school, and your advice and coping skills will take me far in life. Thank you for everything. — Sharlene, Class of 2024
Sarah Honan, Wardlaw+Hartridge School
Thank you for everything you do for us! I cannot tell you how much of a blessing you were in my college process—all of the hard work you do for us does not go unnoticed. I am going to miss you next year! — Gbemi, Class of 2024
Jennifer McCrackin, Cassville High School
Thank you for believing in me and being patient with students like me because it lets me know that you really care about us and our futures. — Vincent, Class of 2024
Patricia Bridges, Union High School
Dear Mrs. Bridges, thank you for all your help these past four years! You have been so kind to me; I couldn't have asked for a better counselor. I truly hope you know how much of an impact you had on me and my growth. I appreciate you! — Naila, Class of 2024
Dr. Hollis, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory
You have been such a help in building my confidence during the college process. I honestly couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you so much!! — Theo, Class of 2024
Gretchen Crosswell, River Bluff High School
Dear Mrs. Crosswell, I can’t begin to thank you enough for all the hard work you have put into helping me and my sister. You have been a total life changer when it comes to the college and scholarship application process. We wouldn’t have been able to accomplish so much without you. Once again, thank you for everything you have done. — Jennifer, Class of 2024
JT Biggs, Huntington North High School
When I came from homeschool into the public school system, you were the one to give me my first tour of the new school. All throughout the first scheduling process, you were looking for the best schedule for me. When I struggled in classes without a teacher, I was able to meet with you in order to discuss possible alternatives without any judgment. You are amazing at your job, and I am lucky to have you as my counselor. — Traevor, Calss of 2026
Shawn Abernathy, Benton High School
Mrs. Abernathy, thank you so much for making sure my house of cards has not blown over in the face of a hurricane. Honestly, I don't know how you manage it, but I'm not sure I need to know; it is impressive, nonetheless. Thank you for being an awesome counselor for all of us lucky students! — Conor, Class of 2024
Kara Slawter, Yadkin Early College
Thank you so much for always being there for all of your students even when times are tough. You have always made coming to you with anything as easy as possible, and you are always willing to listen. You make our mental health a priority and help prepare us for life outside of high school each and every day. You are consistent, compassionate, kind, and so much more in supporting students in and outside of school. Thank you for making the high school experience more bearable. — Anonymous, Class of 2025
Andrew Swedberg, Niles North High School
Hi Mr. Swedberg! I want to say thank you for all the support you’ve given me these past four or so years. Your office is very welcoming, and I enjoyed the random conversations we had while selecting my classes and preparing for college. I greatly appreciate your humor and for connecting me to all these opportunities to help me reach my goals. Thanks for being an awesome part of my high school experience. — Tatiana, Class of 2024
Mary Skemp, St. Ambrose Academy
Hey Dr. Skemp, I just want to thank you so much for all the effort and time that you have put into helping me and my classmates discern our future plans and ambitions. I know some people, me included, don't always act like we appreciate your effort, but it really does mean a lot to us. Your dedication to all the students is inspiring, and I would just like to thank you for all that you do. — Anonymous, Class of 2025
Mackenzie Stratton, SUU SUCCESS Academy
Hello, Mrs. Stratton! I would like to sincerely thank you for all you do. You have made succeeding possible when, at times, I thought I would never make it through. You have been encouraging, kind, and—above all—helped me and so many others to make our dreams come true. Because of you, I have hope for my future! Thank you for everything; you are incredible!! — Anonymous, Class of 2024
Priscilla Frazier, Ider High School
Dear Mrs. Frazier, thank you for everything you’ve done for me and all the students at Ider. I couldn’t have made it through high school without you and I just want you to know that I appreciate every effort that you’ve put into this school and my high school career. I also want to thank you for listening to me when things were not going so great in my life—you’ll never know how much it meant to have an adult who understood my situation and gave me advice I could use. You’ve taught me so many meaningful life lessons that I’ll carry with me forever. I can see the love you have for this school and these kids. Please know that all these things and more do not go unnoticed. Thank you so much, Mrs. Frazier! — Anonymous, Class of 2025
Kacy Slee, Eastern High School
Thank you so much for all you do; I wouldn't have been able to achieve my goals without your help. You're an amazing counselor and a great role model. You have inspired me to want to be a counselor and help students follow their dreams like you did for me. — Bailey, Class of 2024
Matt Riehm, Los Alamitos High School
We are so grateful for all the work you have done for our kids through the years, especially Zoe. She would not have made it through the last couple years without you. You are the best! — The Ronnau Family
We hope every school counselor had a wonderful week and feels appreciated every day! If you need even more support, be sure to join the CollegeXpress community—we’re here to help you and your students every step of the way. Learn more about us and create a free account here.
