Jasmine Hollis is a name that sparks joy for many. Formerly an Olympia High School counselor, Ms. Hollis is moving onto new things. While many students have heard of Ms. Hollis, they may be unaware of her personal background and later in her career, the environment she created. Many years ago on August 18th, Ms. Hollis made her debut in Orlando, with a big future ahead of her. After teaching for a little while, she began to think about how she wanted to help students more. She wanted to further her degree to get the opportunity to help students in a different way. She went back to grad school and earned her master’s degree in school counseling. Ms. Hollis knew it was the right decision. Since then, she continues to help students on a personal level, as well as with their academics. This includes helping students with classes, guiding them, and navigating them on the right pathway to achieve their goals.
“My hope is that I’ve created a safe space for my students, letting them know I’m always in their corner! As an Olympia High graduate myself, the connection to this school runs deep, and being able to give back to the place that shaped me has been an honor!” Ms. Hollis expressed.
While she has left an impact on the students and staff of Olympia, they also have left an impact on her. “Olympia taught me the true meaning of resilience through the diverse stories and determination of my students. The counseling team, a supportive family, helped me grow as a counselor. Olympia will always have a special place in my heart,” Ms. Hollis emphasized.
With her job comes a lot of responsibility and decisions making. While scheduling isn’t one of her favorite responsibilities, she does enjoy interacting with students and being there to lend a helping hand when needed. “My favorite part about being a counselor was witnessing my students’ growth and success. Being able to guide them through their academic (and sometimes personal) challenges, [and to] help them discover their passions and witness their achievements throughout high school is incredibly fulfilling!” Ms. Hollis stated.
Memories last a lifetime, and she has created many memories throughout her time at Olympia. “Last year on my birthday, the chorus class surprised me by singing “Happy Birthday” in my office. I’ll never forget this!” Hollis expressed, sharing her favorite moment as a guidance counselor.
The news of Ms. Hollis’ departure has been a sad announcement for many. On the bright side, she has the opportunity to impact others in an extremely positive way. “I’ll be working to contribute to the mission of helping people achieve education and workplace success. [I’m] looking forward to new challenges and growth!” Ms. Hollis said.
She will be very much missed at Olympia High School. But, we congratulate her on new beginnings. We hope she impacts the world as much as she has impacted us at Olympia.