Starting this month, the new “Ask-a-Counselor” table will be a monthly occurrence outside the counselors’ offices to provide more information to students.

Lead counselor Tracy Stafford says that the whole purpose behind the table is to give students an opportunity to ask questions that they otherwise may not have had the chance to.

“We want to be available as much as we can to our students,” Stafford said. “We can try to be as visible as we can, and we’re trying to do it at least once a month.”

Stafford says that she wants to ensure students are getting valid information, and not incorrect answers from their peers, as she sees quite frequently.

“We hope [students] will have the ability to see a counselor and get the answers they want correctly,” Stafford said.

Stafford answers questions for all grade levels, but recalls that it has been primarily seniors that have been utilizing this resource.

“It’s really the seniors talking about college applications, talking about the Dallas Promise, talking about getting their transcripts,” Stafford said.

Senior Denver Wagner went to the table to get information about the new Dallas Promise, which would help him go to a Dallas County Community College for free next year.

“I was asking about the deadline to sign up and stuff, and she explained how lucky we are for this promise,” Wagner said. “She made me write my name down and she would get with me for any more questions that I had.”

Stafford hopes that the new location in front of the counselors’ office, as opposed to the cafeteria like last year, will be more obvious and inviting for students to come and ask questions and get whatever else they may need.

“Right here out front, you kind of see a little bit more,” Stafford said. “And I think as we’re out here more, you’ll expect it.”

Stafford wants to make sure that students are aware that they can always come to her with any questions or concerns.  

“Always know that the counselors’ office is open to every student,” Stafford said.