Since September, the student had been experiencing trying times with their family and school. Attending classes virtually due to the pandemic, disconnected from peers and teachers, they were constantly lonely, exhausted, and dejected about most things in her life.
However, in October, they started having regular online meetings with their school counselor. From their first meeting, even from their first email exchange, she immediately perceived Ms. Sroka as extremely compassionate and warm-hearted.
"It's good to see you! I am so proud of your hard work. I understand things are tough, but I'm here to talk," said Sroka. Her cheerful voice pierced through the veil of the student's sadness like lightning.
As the months progressed, the student's depression lingered, but Ms. Sroka's kindness was a blessing. They felt appreciated by Ms. Sroka; she acknowledged their dire circumstances and provided emotional support and tools to help improve their situation.
"Ms. Sroka was constantly in contact with my teachers, making sure their communication was clear and effective," she recalled.
In April, the student was finally faced with attending school in person, as their family's health risks had decreased. However, after their poor academic performance that year, they were anxious about returning to school.
"Ms. Sroka planned a time for me to come in during a remote learning day and briefly meet my teachers for the first time in person without the added stress of work or other students," she recounted.
Ms. Sroka helped the student ease into going back to school for the last few weeks and immensely relieved their family's concerns with her excellent communication. As the school year ended, their meetings were less frequent, but the student was comforted that Ms. Sroka was silently keeping track of them and making sure all was going as well as it could.
"I didn't fully realize how special Ms. Sroka was during that dire year," they reflected.
Now, however, the student was a senior in high school. They looked back at those times, infinitely grateful for a friend like Ms. Sroka, who helped guide them through a choppy storm to a much sunnier place.