King High School - Clarion Yearbook (Tampa, FL)

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Mr. Dixon sees that all students referred to hirr are treated with special attention. Teaching Students HowTo Deal With Specific Problems Many teenagers become confused by the pressures placed upon them by society. There are a variety of spe- cialists at King who help students with complications which have resulted from this confusion. Mrs. Lizette Alexander, school psychologist, listens to the students problems and gives them perti- nent advice. As the social worker. Mrs. Cheryl Beckner coun- sels students with emotional and family problems, often talking with parents for the students if the stu- dent approves. Miss Sharon Gaskin, speech therapist, works with students who are having trouble with speech impediments. Through a series of sessions, she attempts to reduce and eliminate speech handicaps. King’s new resource officer. Deputy Nistal, once attended King himself. He has been a deputy sheriff for eight years and began at King this past summer. Although he likes contact with the students, his main priority is to provide security. Mr. Charles Dixon, human relations specialist, works to promote better understanding and rela- tionships between students. He feels that he has made a lot of progress in the past ten years. Another special counselor, Mrs. Nancy Maggiacomo, comes once a week to counsel students who are put into in-school- suspension. Mrs. Allen, the school nurse, has been here two years. She helps carry out the Health-O-Rama and is on hand during the week to take care of those students who are referred to her because of health problems. As resource officer. Mr. Nistal patrols the school along with the deans. 52 Specialists

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Mrs. McCIcnnan helps career minded students find the job that will suit them Steering Students In The Right Direction The King High guidance department has the re- sponsibility of scheduling students into a curriculum that fits their specific needs. But this is only a small part of what each counselor does. Mrs. Elizabeth Jansen, the department head, handles screening for advanced placement. Mrs. Joy Valdez is in charge of information on colleges. She sponsors the College Awareness Program and places information regarding colleges in places easily accessible to all students. Mrs. Luzette LaRussa helps students who arc in- terested in financial aid and gives information on scholarships. In charge of testing are Mrs. Pat Smith and Mrs. Suzanne MacDonald. Mrs. Eleanor McCIcnnan, occupational specialist, talks to students about jobs that would suit them, and often helps them get into those fields. Many students arc not aware of the personal counseling given by the guidance counselors. Group counseling is also provided. One program. Math Anxiety, was started this year to help those who are having trouble in their college preparatory math classes. Discover”, a computer program, is based in the guidance suite. King is the only school in Hillsbor- ough County with such a large number of computers. In the past year and a half, nearly 2,000 students have used the computers. Preparing King's students for their futures through college orientation or personal career planning covers half of their objectives. The other half, of course, being high school counseling. It seems their jobs are never done. Guidance 51

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Mrs. Alexander explains that she hasepjoyed her second year here, and is seeing a lot of progress in students. Mrs lryant is assisted by AiWon Daniels in u: Miss Bcckncr proves to be an asset to King by guiding students to paths that arc more constructive. Mr Charte» Dixon Human Relation» Dept. Head Specialists 53