Here at Great Bend High School we have three counselors; Kristen Baker who takes care of 8th grade enrollment and students whose last names start with A-G, we have Kathy Davis who takes care of our students whose last names starting with H-O, and Debbie Koelsch, who takes care of students with last names that begin with P-Z. Basically, without our counselors our school would fall apart.

Kristen Baker grew up in Great Bend, Kansas attending Jefferson Elementary, Great Bend Middle School, and Great Bend High School. She then attended Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas and majored in Chemistry teaching and middle school science. She taught Chemistry at Great Bend High School for 7 years. She got her master’s degree in school counseling for Fort Hays State University and this is her 6th year in the GBHS counseling department. She has three children, Calyn, Camdyn, and Boland.

Debbie Koelsch grew up in Shawnee, Kansas and after high school attended K-State University then Newman; There she completed elementary education degree. She then attended Fort Hays State University and received her Masters in School Counseling Degree. Her husband, Rob is a Self employed farmer on their family farm. Together they have a son and a daughter.

Kathy Davis grew up in Alva, Kansas, Attending Alva High school. She then attended NWOSU and received her bachelor of Science degree, and Master of Education Guidance and Counseling degree. She’s been working as a counselor with USD 428 for 14 years. Her Husband, Kirk is USD 428’s director of maintenance. Together they have two children, Andrea and Chris.

According to our three counselors, their job consists of many things. Among those many things are creating or changing student schedules, providing information on financial aid, scholarships, ACT’s, PSAT’s,SAT’s and future plans. They can also offer help with teacher or parent concerns, health concerns, recommendation letters, and listening to any problem a student might have, personal of school related.

When asked how to prepare and be successful in college, each counselor said something along the lines of attend school, do your homework, and begin your grade point average on a good note. Visit your counselor when you have questions, don’t be afraid to ask. To prepare you should take the ACT’s in high school multiple times, visit colleges,  look at all your options, volunteer in the community and join clubs.