In honor of National School Counseling Week, XAP and Bridges would like to recognize...

Stephen Williams
Eagle Rock High
Los Angeles, CA

"Their job is to resist, our job is to persist" says Stephen Williams of the student-counselor relationship.

A college counselor at Eagle Rock High in Los Angeles, Calif., Williams is responsible for post-secondary placement of the school's 3,000 students.

And persist he has. In the past two years, 45 percent of his high school's graduating class went on to a four-year college. Another 53 percent enrolled in a two-year community college.

"I think we talk college up a lot here," says Williams. In addition to counseling on applications and financial aid, running an Advanced Placement program and providing early college outreach, Williams drums up interest, passion and support for staying in school. If students don't come to him, he goes to them.

"We talk about the future, we talk about possibilities, we talk about the fact that education changes not only their life, but the life of their family and the kids that are going to come," says Williams.

One Eagle Rock student writes, "I have been tempted to drop out of high school a few times, even if it does not reflect on my grades. Each time I would talk to [Mr. Williams] about it he helped me find a new reason to graduate and go to college.... He has helped me succeed in high school and has helped me get into college....

"Knowing I can reach him at any time, whether it is at his office, around school or even through the Internet puts me at ease. I am positive, even during my college experience, he will be able to enlighten me as he has his previous students."

Heart and passion are what make a great counselor, according to Williams. A bit of salesmanship doesn't hurt either. "[We're selling] the idea of a successful future and the idea that it's not as hard as it seems," says Williams.

"Most kids realize they need to do something. It's just a question of are they going to be able to do it, and how. We try to make that as plain as we can."

XAP and Bridges congratulate Stephen Williams for making a difference in the lives of his students!

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