Farewell

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After 19 years guiding students at Eastside Catholic School, Marjorie Hayton is retiring to embark on new adventures. We thank her for her dedication, service and leadership over the past two decades.

REFLECTION BY

MARJORIE HAYTON

started at EC just weeks before 9/11 and am ending at EC I start graduate school in school counseling. Graduate programs during another stressful and unfortunate time—the COVID-19 in school counseling do not actually provide training in college pandemic. When I first started at the Newport Hills campus, counseling, but I continued to learn everything I could on my counselors provided social-emotional, academic and college own to fuel my interest. I graduated from the program the same counseling before the model evolved for college counselors to weekend my oldest daughter graduated from Stanford and my specialize. It’s important for college counselors to not only be youngest from Seattle Prep! current on what’s happening in the world of college admissions, Although the college application and admission process has but also social/emotional school counseling in general. College always been stressful for students and their families, I have seen counseling involves some of the same skills—encouraging the level of stress increase over the past decade. Admission at many students to identify their own feelings and facilitates deeper colleges has become more selective and because of that, students understanding and exploration of their strengths, weaknesses have felt the need to apply to a greater number of colleges. and goals as they apply to their future. An understanding of There are no shortage of stories in the press about highlythe bigger picture is critical—personal, academic and financial qualified students not being accepted anywhere, fueling the needs—all come into play. ramped-up anxiety. Students have felt the need to take more

When my oldest daughter was a senior in high school, I college-entrance exams, take more rigorous courses, add more became interested in the college admission scene and decided to extracurriculars—whatever they think it takes to get into college.

Your knowledge, friendliness, and great rapport with the students encouraged me in my work. While I had been in education for many years, my time at EC and with you was my fi rst full-time counseling job. You welcomed me with open arms, helped me navigate the EC culture, and taught me about college counseling.”

“Margie had an amazing ability of helping students through the college admissions process. She knew of so many ways to help students fi nancially and could always fi nd hidden scholarships to apply for.” “ You are truly of admirable character and I hope you enjoy the next chapter of your life beyond your career.”

“Marjorie’s kindness and care for her students is exceptional. She has helped so many EC students achieve their college goals and dreams during her tenure.” “Marjorie will be missed dearly in the world of college counseling, but she will not be far from the many friends and colleagues she has made over the years.”

I know she won’t miss the countless Saturdays spent proctoring the SAT but I hope she knows the impact her presence and hard work has had on hundreds, if not thousands, of students.”

The reality is that co lleges are in the business of admitting students, rather than denying. And colleges want to admit students who they know will be successful at their institution.

This year, the pandemic has posed added stress for students. ACT and SAT exams have been diffi cult or impossible to schedule, many colleges have gone test optional, changed their application deadlines or requirements, all causing confusion and additional stress. Some students who had planned to start college this fall opted to take a gap year or to change plans to stay closer to home. Graduating seniors are wondering if next year’s numbers will be impacted.

Navigating these uncertain times is challenging for us all but I have seen some extremely creative and innovative ways institutions and students have handled these challenges.

One might assume that the ideal student to work with would be one who comes prepared with a well-researched list of colleges they plan to apply to, having done extensive research on their own, as well as a well-thought-out plan for approaching the application process. While that is always a great student to work with, it would be too routine if that was every student.

I have enjoyed working with a wide variety of students and especially enjoyed being able to watch students develop from tentative freshmen into confi dent and grounded seniors. Helping students to take ownership of the college search and application process has been especially rewarding.

I will truly miss working with EC students and their families, as well as the entire EC community. It has been a blessing to have been able to support and be supported by such wonderful people. Retirement in a pandemic will be challenging without being able to travel and see family and friends. I am thinking of creative ways to “re-invent myself” and am hopeful for the future.