In the center of the school, with doors located between the lunchroom and the flex space, lies a hub of student resources and support. Student Services houses two administrators, one social worker, one psychologist, one Student Support Specialist, one Registrar, two Administrative Assistants and five counselors. These counselors work alongside students during their four years providing academic, emotional and college application support. This past August two new counselors joined the Student Services team. Catalina Donnelly-Vasquez and Linda Hardy have assumed responsibility for last names Cr-He and Mo-Sh, respectively. While these two counselors have already begun to build their place here at North, many students have yet to get the opportunity to meet them. Here’s a collection of fun information to help the North community get to know its new members.
Catalina Donnelly-Vasquez may be new to her role as a full-fledged counselor but many students will recognize her from her time with Dr. Newman as an intern. Donnelly-Vasquez has picked up right where she left off, helping students navigate high school and making sure clubs run smoothly. Whether her road to counselorship started in a Texas High School or on the K-State campus, here are some questions to learn more about Donnelly-Vasquez’s background and future at North.
Q: Why did you want to be a counselor?
A: I like helping people. I’m a two on the Enneagram if you know anything about that. It’s like a helper, and so I’ve always just enjoyed helping people, and I really enjoy helping high school students figure out what they want to do.
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
A: My favorite part of my job is making connections with the students and seeing them succeed.
Q: If you could take one class at North what would it be?
A: Newspaper and broadcast media would be fun, but I just enjoy history so I think that’s why I would do that.
Q: What class would you want to teach at North?
A: I don’t think I could ever teach a class. Maybe FACS class [because] I enjoy cooking.
Q: If you weren’t a school counselor what would you be?
A: I got my undergraduate degree in sports marketing, so I would be doing something in the sports world.
Q: If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life what would it be?
A: I feel like one that I could always watch is A Walk to Remember which is kind of a sad one.
Q: Were you involved in anything interesting in high school?
A: I was a student athletic trainer, so I got to do a lot of cool things with sports.
Q: What was your favorite memory from high school?
A: I just love my high school experience in general. I went to high school in Texas so I think that overall, it’s just a fun experience.
Linda Hardy may be new to North, but she is not new to the high school scene. As a past Spanish teacher at Blue Valley High, she is excited to start new clubs and activities that build connections and foster new communities at North. Hardy has taken the time to build an office with a welcoming environment, with a couch, wall decorations and dimmed lighting. Her office is ready to welcome students searching for advice, support, or a good conversation. Here are a few questions to help you get to know Hardy.
Q: Why did you want to be a counselor?
A: I love kids, and I think mental health is super important
Q: What is one thing your office would be incomplete without?
A: There’s so much in here, my sofa.
Q: If you could take one class at North what would it be?
A: Interior design. I’ve already thought so much about this. When I was in high school, I was in tech theater so I designed sets, and I like to still design.
Q: If you weren’t a school counselor what would you be?
A: I’d probably be a community health counselor.
Q: What club or sports team would you be on at North?
A: I want to start Latinos for Tomorrow to give them a group to connect with.
Q: If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life what would it be?
A: Drop Dead Fred [because] it cracks me up. I laugh so much, and It’s my childhood favorite movie.
Q: Were you involved in anything interesting in high school?
A: I would say tech theater, costume design, sewing, everything for the plays.
Q: What is something you want students to know about you?
A: I am always here to help in any way that I can.
Both Donnelly-Vasquez and Hardy have been hard at work over the past few months making schedules and welcoming students back to North. They have both started to make their mark at North and for many, have become familiar faces in the halls. If you have not gotten the chance to meet them, they can be found in student services or often in the Cafeteria during lunch.
