Phones go off like a car alarm, as commands fly around and emails explode in her mailbox. Enough chaos fills the room to give anyone a panic attack, but behind the desk, she is calm and collected. Short in stature with her glasses hanging on the tip of her nose, Mrs. Morrison is powerful and poised. This may come as a surprise, as most do not know the influence a secretary has. But Mrs. Morrison is the glue that holds the Arrowhead counseling office together. 

   When you walk into the guidance office, the first person you meet is Mrs. Morrison. She sets the mood for the office and makes it a comfortable place for students.

   I moved to Arrowhead my junior year and the first person to greet me was Mrs. Morrison with her warm and friendly smile. Whenever I had any questions, I went into the guidance office and she was always willing to help me. Even with her busy schedule, she answered my questions and I felt at ease asking for her help. If my guidance counselor was busy, she asked what I needed and then she did her best to figure out a way to help me. I often felt like she was going out of her way to help me and that made me feel like I was important (especially when she went through the papers I needed to get signed and explained what they were for).

   This past year has brought me to her desk a multitude of times. As a senior, I have been applying for scholarships and she took the time to find applications for me. She went through the scholarship forms and even gave me advice on which ones she thought I should apply for. Mrs. Morrison didn’t have to do that (because the scholarships are in the corner of the office where any student can access them). And she doesn’t go out of her way just for me, but for every student. Countless times, I have seen her help students and to me that’s a big part of the reason why she is so special.

   Mrs. Morrison doesn’t receive the acknowledgement she deserves. When we think of an educator, we think of someone who teaches a subject like math or science. But there are educators around us that we often overlook and Mrs. Morrison is one of them.

   A good educator teaches you about how to treat other people and Mrs. Morrison does just that (without even trying to). She is the model of the golden rule and she has shown me the importance of being friendly to everyone--even to people who have been rude to me.

   I am nominating Mrs. Morrison for this award because even though she isn’t a teacher, she has taught me and without her I would not feel like I belong at Arrowhead.