Unfortunately, I won't be here to celebrate it next to you because I will be gone with some Cruises From New York. Well, I hope I will have the chance to be here the next time because I really want to do it, it's my favourite part of the year.

"Karen Varney is by far the best Guidance Counselor I have ever worked with," shares fellow colleague, William Forlow.

Born in Augusta, Main, Mrs. Varney received her undergraduate and Master's Degree in school counseling from the University of Central Florida. Over the last twenty-one years she has been a Guidance Counselor in Osceola County, FL.

"I enjoy working in the drop-out prevention setting and encouraging students to finish their high school educations," shares Mrs. Varney.

For the past eleven years, Mrs. Varney has been responsible for six different Alternative Programs, two of which are in a different location. At Challenger Learning Center, Ms. Varney provides her students with access to Choices Planner and Choices CD.

Working within the confines of a unique schedule composed of "mini semesters", she is responsible for changing each student's schedule eight times throughout the year, in addition to enrolling a new group of students and graduating students each month. She always goes the extra mile, working evenings and weekends to ensure that schedules are completed on time.

"Until a counselor has experienced such adverse conditions, it is hard to understand the amount of extra work this entails," stressed Mr. Forlow. "On top of all this she is undergoing radiation treatment for cancer and still is making sure all our schedules and other paperwork is completed."

In spite of the many physical hardships she endures, Mrs. Varney always has a smile on her face. Honest, reliable and with ethical standards above reproach, she is highly respected by students, staff and parents.

Each day Mrs. Varney handles a variety of tasks, ensuring that all jobs are completed in a timely manner, while always willing to volunteer to help others. She has also taken it upon herself to reorganize her department in order to make it operate more efficiently and effectively.

"Cooperation and positive attitude do not adequately describe Karen," said Mr. Forlow. "She is an extraordinary employee whose performance on the job has made a dramatic impact on our department."

It's hard to imagine that a busy woman like Mrs. Varney would ever have any time to herself, but when she does experience those rare moments, she enjoys reading, working out and scrapbooking. Mrs. Varney is married and has one daughter in college.

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Submited by : Dietas

I had a hard time as a teenager and the only thing that kept me in school and off the streets was my school counselor. He made sure my life in school was as easy as it should be and that the only thing I'm interested in is learning for a better life. I'd like to thank him, he got me out of the mess my life was back then. Now I'm having some problems with my husband and I'd like to find the same counselor to see if he offers marriage counseling as well. Since John (my husband) lost his job he's very sad and uncooperative all the time. I need someone trustworthy to talk to and the school counselor was the only person I could trust back then.