LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Jenny Box was nominated by her colleague, Angie Edge.

Have you ever gone to your school’s guidance counselor and felt like you were heard? That's something you can say about Mrs. Box, who is a LifeChanger for students and staff on a daily basis.

Mrs. Box has been a part of the staff at New Hope High School for the past year and a half. During that time, things have changed for the better in many ways.  Mrs. Box has been a catalyst in a lot of this change. 

"Like most schools, we have so many students who often go through their day and are not seen, noticed, or even spoken to. They come in the doors in the morning expecting this day to be different but due to one reason or another, it is the same day," said Edge. "Mrs. Box never makes students feel this way. Her open-door policy for students makes it okay for students to not feel okay. She welcomes students of all walks of life in her office and will give them as much time as they need so they feel wanted."

Mrs. Box's love for students has not gone unnoticed. Because of her efforts, more teachers have begun to mimic what she is doing and making real differences in the lives of the students they teach.

Mrs. Box not only welcomes those who are hurting, but she challenges the strong, as well. Mrs. Box works hand-in-hand with high school seniors to get them prepared for the next level in their lives, whether it's college or vocation.

"My daughter was a high school senior last year, and Mrs. Box went above and beyond to help her get scholarships, honors, and awards," Edge explained. "Since graduating, my daughter has needed help with some financial aid issues, and Mrs. Box continued to help her. This may not sound like much to some, but for a counselor who services over 400 of our 800 students, it meant the world to my family that she took time out of her day to help a former student.  She works long hours to ensure the absolute best future for her students that she can provide."

Finally, Mrs. Box makes sure that teachers are able to help their students in all areas of their lives, as best as they can. She puts together suicide trainings, walks the teachers through what to do if they identify something that is concerning, and sits in on parent-teacher conferences as an advocate for the student and the teacher.

"On numerous occasions, I have needed someone to speak to a student over something that they hinted at in a writing assignment they completed in my class," said Edge. "Jenny has never once turned that down and has sought out truth from the student in order for us to best help them. As a fellow colleague, I could not be more blessed to call her my friend and partner."

Mrs. Box has been a LifeChanger for many students at New Hope High School. She will only continue to be a LifeChanger in the years to come.