Francis & Me: Ruth Lahnston, College Counselor at Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School
"Deal with one another, dear friends, with a care that is genuine, loving, and gentle." - St. Jane de Chantal
Helping students is my life's work, and I have never regretted choosing this field for a moment. While I have worked with students in many different capacities including admissions, academic advising, and residential life, my time in college counseling has been the most rewarding. There is nothing quite as wonderful as meeting with a student during the spring of her junior year and seeing the possibilities that lie before her, through her eyes. They are filled with optimism, enthusiasm, (a bit of apprehension), and excitement about their goals and future.
The path to college is unique for each student, and while it is paved with affirmation and successes, there can also be some disappointment. As I read through the passage from St. Jane de Chantal, I recognized the spirit of Visitation in her words. I see this passage come to life almost every day as I watch students gently support each other through the college process. It begins in our college counseling class as we work on each piece of the application, and it continues all the way through until the matriculated colleges are revealed on student kilts. It is the genuine, loving, and gentle care that the students share with each other that ensures a strong foundation and the tools the students take with them to the next exciting stage of their lives.
