Are you struggling with your schedule? Not sure how to start the college process? Simply in need of some emotional support? The counseling team here at Myers Park has got your back! The Myers Park Student Services team is an essential part of the school environment. They are constantly working hard while keeping the students’ best interests in mind. Their mission, as stated on their website, is to “collaborate with students and outside resources including teachers, administrators, and parents to assist students in reaching their full potential to function in a global society.” The counselors strive to encourage the talents and diversity of all students, helping them find steady ground at school.
The counselors have a large assortment of jobs and responsibilities. They tailor the courses and schedules to best fit each student, provide assistance to mental health and disability concerns, educate students and families about the inner workings of Myers Park, and much more.
It is highly recommended that every student meets with their designated counselor consistently throughout their four years of high school to establish a solid relationship. The better a counselor knows a student, the better they can assist them on specific needs including class changes or college recommendation letters. Though Myers Park has a very large student body and certain counselors have come and gone over the years, students should never feel that they’re left high and dry and should always check in with their current counselor or another counselor. Students can find via the last name who their counselor is along with other information and commonly answered questions on the Student Services Website: https://sites.google.com/cms.k12.nc.us/navigation or through the Myers Park High School website under “Parents and Students” i.e. “Student Support”.
A few of the counselors sat down for an interview to explain their role in the school and give advice to the student body. All of them said their primary purpose at Myers Park is to be an advocate for the students and to work with them and for them. They advise students to not wait till their junior or senior to reach out!
Mrs. Sherill has been a school counselor for 20 years and at Myers Park for 15 years. “I’ve always enjoyed the school and activities environment so I knew I wanted to be in a high school,” she noted. When asked what her favorite part about her job is, Sherrill replied, “I love the college application process! I’ve enjoyed doing Spring College Night and book clubs with families. I love to help students make their own decisions, what’s right for them, not what their friends are doing or what their family wants them to do.” She is also a great resource for student-athletes with the recruitment/decision process, carrying a lot of personal experience.
Mr. Hunt is a new counselor at Myers Park this year and is very enthusiastic about being a personal aid for students. “I want students to know that they have a lot of options and a lot more to offer than they might understand or might think,” said Hunt. He wants students to know that he is always there if students just need to have some downtime and talk to someone. When asked what his biggest piece of advice is for Myers Park students, Hunt answered, “Reach out! Communicate with someone whether you’re having a great day or a not-so-great day, you may have more people in your corner than you realize. Build that relationship with your counselor. Having that support system around you is super important in these four years here.”
All in all, the Myers Park counselors are a great resource for everyone. No student is navigating high school alone, just say the word and the counselors are there to help!