While the Westwood student body is looking forward to leisurely relaxation during Thanksgiving break, Redhawk seniors, who are still in the peak of application season, are looking for additional guidance at Westwood. Test scores, college essays, extracurricular activities, and more are all aspects of college readiness that are imperative to address as seniors apply and solidify their college applications.
In late September, the Redhawk’s Report published the first part of this series, which included information regarding Westwood’s College and Career Readiness program. However, Westwood’s Work Based Learning specialist, Mrs. Tara Smith, explained that those in need of guidance for college readiness should specifically reach out to “school counselors, test coordinators, and other specialists at Westwood.”
While Westwood’s CCR program may not account for seniors’ desire to progress in their process of applying to college, counselors at other schools are tasked with aiding seniors in this process. In an article published by Conifer High School’s (Conifer, CO) Newspaper, “CHS Today,” reporter Cabhan Bruggeman interviewed seniors at CHS who elaborated on how counselors assist their seniors in the college application process.
Bruggeman states the counselors are helping Conifer High’s seniors by “providing resources, such as one-on-one meetings with the students, a document provided to seniors which gives a step-by-step guide on how to apply to college, and a college visit so students can talk to representatives” (Bruggeman).
While this is the case for Conifer High School, at Westwood counselors take a more seasonal approach regarding college applications. Westwood’s counseling department director Dr. Craig Tyson elaborated on the responsibilities of Westwood counselors concerning seniors.
Tyson states that in regards to the counseling department’s attention to seniors during fall, “They (seniors) will have our focus.”
To follow this promised fixation on seniors, Westwood High School’s counseling department hosted a “College Application Day” that included tools, guidance, and mentorship to progress Redhawk seniors’ application processes.
Tyson states that the counselors’ responsibilities are “To help generate ideas for students to say where do I want to go or what do I want to see myself become.”
However, concerning one-on-one sessions between seniors and counselors, Westwood counselors take a futuristic approach to student meetings. Tyson emphasized that counselors’ main job is to spark seniors’ understanding of career interests and paths.
The main question that Tyson desires for every senior to know is “What do I want to do with my life” which Tyson believes is imperative for seniors’ success post-high school and college.
Additionally, Tyson advises seniors to contact their counselors because he states that “Communication between student and counselor is very important.”
After Tyson highlights the need for students to interact with counselors, Tyson highlights other resources available at the Castle. Similar to Mrs. Tara Smith, Dr. Tyson points out college specialist Mrs. Candance Kannaday.
When asking Tyson about seniors wanting to master application season and college in its totality he states, “We have Mrs. Kannaday for students who want to apply to colleges.”
Westwood counselors are imperative to the success of all students because according to Tyson they are there to spark ambition concerning Redhawks’ future. Counselors are also hosting events that aid seniors who strive for higher education and a successful career.
