Echo Spring 2021 - 10

By Megan Rogers ('22 & '23)
ooking out my bedroom window
my whole life, I saw the Empire State
Building, the Chrysler Building and
all of those amazing skylines, " said
Grace Cruz ('20). " I never thought that one
day, my office would overlook a farm, but it's
gorgeous and I love it. "
" I literally drive
to work every
day, and I am
on my way to
my dream job.
It's awesome. "
- Grace Cruz ('20)
Cruz serves as a counselor at Solanco High
School in rural Lancaster County. She graduated
last year with both a bachelor's degree and
master's degree after completing LBC | Capital's
4+1 Professional School Counseling program
and found herself looking at graduation amidst
a global pandemic.
" When the pandemic hit, we were all scrambling
to figure out how we were going to graduate
and still meet the hour requirements [for
internships], " Grace said. The search for jobs
began, and she applied to three opportunities.
One was suggested by LBC | Capital's
Professional School Counseling Program
Director Melissa Boas-a position as a high
school counselor for Solanco. Cruz applied right
away, was interviewed on June 17 and, by the
end of the month, the position was hers.
Fellow LBC | Capital alumnus and Solanco
High School Principal Scott Long ('06) was
impressed by Cruz's ability to bring a high
level of energy and enthusiasm to everything
she does. " I interviewed other people who
had experience, but I felt like she really shined
because she was so energetic and passionate
about what she wanted to do, " Long said.
" A lot of people I interview struggle with basic
interview skills, " he continued. " [Grace] had
well-thought out answers for every question,
she had clearly researched our district, and
someone had coached her on how to interview
well, " Long added.
Although many people struggle with which
jobs to apply for or even what to study in
college, this was never an issue for Cruz. Her
heart had been set on counseling for many
years. This interest began simply as a love for
people and a busy social life but soon was
confirmed in other areas of life as well.
Cruz worked as a camp counselor during the
summers of 2015 and 2016 and discovered a
love for working with high school students.
Many of the kids she worked with came from
hard home lives or rough backgrounds. For
them, school was a place that felt safe and
trustworthy.
Cruz knew she wanted to create a space for
students where they felt safe and valued. Her
camp counseling experience solidified what she
already knew-she wanted to work with high
schoolers in a counseling environment.
During her time thus far at Solanco, Cruz has
encountered a unique set of rewards and
challenges. The combination of being new
to the professional field as well as a yearlong
pandemic has allowed for plenty of growth in
her first year.
" I literally drive to work every day, and I am on
my way to my dream job. It's awesome, " Cruz
said. She shared about the deep privilege it
is to walk alongside students and families
through both the best and worst parts of
their lives.
Another noteworthy role Cruz has
taken on involves helping as a
translator for students who are learning
English as a Second Language (ESL).
Long shared how Solanco's ESL
population has grown considerably over
the past few years.
" We had students who didn't speak English and
didn't have access to their school counselor, so
they wouldn't come [to the counselor], " Long
said. Cruz has been able to connect with many
of these students, allowing them to have a safe
space where they can be understood.
Cruz's influence on ESL students and their
families has been significant. " I have a passion
10 ECHO
Echo Spring 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Echo Spring 2021
