The Carson City School District was pleased to honor school counselors during National School Counseling Week, Feb. 2-6, 2026. Sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), the week helps focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and how students are different as a result of what school counselors do. National School Counseling Week also highlights the tremendous impact school counselors have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.
Carson City School District has 14 school counselors serving three schools: Carson High School, Carson Middle School and Eagle Valley Middle School. The special week honoring school counselors provides recognition for school counselors who implement comprehensive school counseling programs, a vital part of the educational process for all students as they meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Alphabetically by last name, Carson High School has eight school counselors: Justin Barlow, Carla Fritchie (serving as a School Mental Health Professional), Bridget Gordon-Johnson, Alexis Gunnell, Nicki Hendee, Maddie Hull-Taylor, Cary Jordan and Monica Weaver. Eagle Valley has three school counselors: Mandy Chambers, Lupe Schofield and Heather Stodieck. Carson Middle School also has three school counselors: Jeremy Batten (students with last names H-O), Rhianna Lish (students with last names A-G) and Mauren Mercure (students with last names P-Z).
School counselors are actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; they work in a partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today’s world; they focus on positive ways to enhance students’ academic, career and social/emotional development; and they collaborate with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves. School counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master’s degree in school counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program.
School counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master’s degree in school counseling. The combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program. These counselors work to ensure that Carson’s students have access to support in the areas of academic success, social-emotional skill sets and career and college planning through many activities such as class scheduling, group supports and individual meetings.
“School counselors work with all students to remove barriers to learning by addressing students’ academic concerns, career options and social/emotional skills,” said Jill Cook, ASCA executive director. “School counseling programs help to increase student achievement and provide a much-needed resource for students, parents, teachers and administrators. School counselors are integral to student success.”
More than 100,000 school counselors nationwide will be participating in the week’s festivities. Many schools will be hosting special events and activities to call attention to the countless benefits of a comprehensive school counseling program.
As part of its celebration for National School Counseling Week, Carson City School District celebrated counselors and supports of counselors within schools. Parents or community members with specific questions or concerns about school counseling programs should contact the school counselors at their local schools. More general information can also be found on ASCA’s website,www.schoolcounselor.org.
Photo Cutline for CHS Counselors 2026:
Bottom row, left to right: Gina Romero (administrative assistant), Bridget Gordon (counselor), Jessica Melgarejo-Lara (administrative assistant) and Molly Evans (administrative assistant). Middle row: Cary Jordan (counselor). Back Row: Kelli Moore (counselor), Nicki Hendee (counselor), Maddie Hull-Taylor (counselor), Justin Barlow (counselor), Alexis Gunnell (counselor) and Monica Weaver (counselor).
