GHS counselor earns statewide honor

Sarah Macort

Sarah Macort, a counselor at Gunnison High School, is being celebrated this month statewide. She recently learned she was named the Colorado Council on High School/College Relations Counselor of November.

She was nominated for the award by Jennifer Read. In her nomination, Read wrote:

“Sarah is incredibly knowledgeable about all things school counseling. She is able to advise students on all different tracks, from Boettcher nominees to trade school recommendations, to apprenticeships. And she does so with a calmness and respect that exudes confidence among families, students and colleagues.”

Macort learned about the award from an email sent by Jaimie Ove, the past president of the council on high school relations.

“It is with great excitement that we congratulate you on being nominated by your peers for going above and beyond in your role as a high school counselor,” Ove wrote. “Your colleagues see the incredible impact you have, and we at Colorado Council on High School/College Relations are proud to recognize your outstanding work. 

“Your commitment to supporting students’ social and emotional needs, guiding them in their college and career aspirations and stepping up in times of crisis reflects the heart of what it means to be an exceptional school counselor. The work you do each day—often behind the scenes—makes a profound difference and we are honored to celebrate you.”

GHS principal Jim Woytek said Macort has more than two decades in education, with the bulk of her experience as a counselor.

“She brings incredible empathy and understanding to her position, meeting students where they are and helping them realize what they can be,” he said. “A small-school counselor has to wear a number of different hats and Sarah wears them all well … She can teach a college and career readiness lesson in the classroom, counsel a student who is dealing with anxiety, write a letter of recommendation for a student’s scholarship and advise a student on concurrent enrollment classes to take at Western within just a few hours on any given day.”

Woytek said students appreciate Macort’s ability to balance straightforward information with caring and compassion. 

“She has an incredible knowledge of and connection with the college advising world and she’s a true mental health professional,” he said. “She goes out of her way to support students and she is a great resource for parents and staff alike.”

(Chad Richardson can be reached at crichardson@orourkemediagroup.com.)