Katie Vastola and Abigail Ernst
Editors
The ACHS Jack Taylor College and Career Center is located in room A114 and is open to grades 9-12. It is a place for students to express themselves and learn about college or general interests that they have.
There are many support staff within the College and Career center that are open to helping anyone. Some staff includes Stacy Morris, a College and Career Center counselor; Melissa Harrington, a part-time college advisor; and Marianne Hawn, a Support Specialist. Additionally, within the College and Career wing, there are other support staff to assist students, including Alyssa Samuel, who works with the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria. These support staff members work as a team with students to develop a level of emotional, academic, and financial support.
Senior Abdel Abdelsadig, a student who is frequently in the College and Career Center, said, “The college and career center has played a pivotal role in getting me into college. Not only has it helped me get into the college that I’ve had my eye on, but it has also helped me find scholarships and opportunities to help pay for college.”
While it is called the College and Career Center, all grades are encouraged to go. Freshmen and sophomores should focus on developing an academic transcript and planning for their junior and senior years of high school.
Abdelsadig said, “Freshman and sophomore years are the ones with the highest impact on your GPAs; for many, it’s an adjustment period where their grades take a slip. I can’t stress the importance of doing well in these first two years as they are the foundation that builds your high school career.”
While the College and Career Center is for counseling it is also a safe place to have questions answered that you may not be able to ask others. “You get a level of comfort in a school counseling environment,” Morris said.
There is not a designated time to go to the College and Career Center and students need to motivate themselves and find the time on their own. “It is all about student advocacy for students to get to know themselves as they prepare to go out into the world,” Morris said.
“Literally just walk in – the counselors are welcoming and attentive. If you’re nervous, don’t be! Once you introduce yourself the first time, you become best friends with the counselors,” said Senior Helen Cooper.
Going to the College and Career Center sooner than later is strongly encouraged by support staff. They are open before and after school as well as during Lunch and Learn. There are also summer hours that students can take advantage of. To find out more details, there is a College and Career Center specific Canvas page that has information about their resources and available hours.
Abdelsadig said, “I’ve only been to the college and career center during my senior year and that is one of my biggest regrets, not coming sooner as I’ve already benefited so massively from just my senior year. I can’t imagine the benefits if I had come earlier.”
“This is my first year [going to the College and Career Center] … I really do consider the College and Career Center a safe space for me. I wish I had known about it sooner,” Cooper said.
Morris said, “It is an emotional process [applying to college], you are making decisions as you develop as a person and it takes counseling.”
There is an unlimited amount of resources available for all students. Cooper said, “The counselors are so incredibly helpful and can guide you through every step leading to your goals.”
Starting the college process can be daunting and difficult but being aware of the resources at ACHS will help. Abdelsadig gave advice specifically to juniors and said, “As long as you keep going to the College and Career Center and keep in contact with your counselor you’ll have a relatively easy time applying to any college.”The College and Career Center is a multi-use place that helps students in adjusting to new years, applying to colleges, looking for scholarships, and getting questions answered. Cooper said, “Whether you want to apply for college, get scholarships, or learn about your options besides a 4-year university, the staff can give you any and all information.”
