The week of Feb. 2–7 is filled with many things for Gabrielino High School, such as the Food Fair and the school walkout. However, one thing many students may not know is that this week is also National School Counseling Week. National School Counseling Week is a nationwide event meant to recognize school counselors, highlight why their work matters, and showcase how they support students. Despite their impact, this work often goes unrecognized.
At Gabrielino, school counselors take on many roles. “I’m responsible for hundreds of students, and I try my best to make sure they all feel seen and heard,” school counselor Monica Hagge said. “We are responsible for helping with students’ schedules, providing one-on-one support, and anything else students might need.”
The responsibilities of school counselors encompass a wide range of tasks. While commonly known duties include class scheduling and college applications, counselors also check in on students’ mental health, assist with academic challenges, meet with parents, and write recommendation letters. They also respond to unexpected situations that may arise during the school day.
For many counselors, the path to this career began with a desire to connect with and help others. “I always just wanted to be able to have a positive impact,” counselor Amanda Ly said. “I know that high school can be very overwhelming, and I wanted to be someone students could rely on.”
Many students also feel the positive impact school counselors have. Junior Valentina Velez Magallanes said, “I had to change my schedule so many times throughout the school year. Ms. Ly never got mad and always helped me.” Senior Michelle Cazares also highlighted Chris Saporito, the Wellness Center counselor. “Mr. Sap has always been there for me and has listened to me vent countless times,” Cazares said.
During National School Counseling Week, Peer Helping students also worked to recognize the valuable contributions of school counselors. Peer Helping teacher Chad Budde had students write letters to counselors they appreciated, complete with hand-drawn images and heartfelt messages. “I planned to write a small thank you to Mr. Sap, but I ended up writing a lot,” senior Kylie Ho said. “He just offers so much wisdom and such a mature perspective that I’m really appreciative of.”
Although National School Counseling Week may not be widely known among students, it is worth pausing to acknowledge the extensive work counselors do each day. While the week itself may go unnoticed, the significant impact school counselors have on students’ lives is unmistakable.
