Dave know kids
Dave spent 38 years as a high school guidance counselor and 43 years umpiring baseball games for Little Leaguers to college players.  He knows kids.  He knows what you can do, what you could do with some encouragement, what you should do if you are to have a purpose-filled life, and what you must do if you really want to become like Jesus.

Dave is West Shore’s unofficial guidance counselor, though he is a certified school counselor to give out official advice.  He’s still a part-time counselor at Harrisburg Christian School in addition to his recruiting work for Messiah College.  He never hesitates to spend time with young folks one-on-one, listening, laughing, and advising.  Sometimes, he even talks to groups of parents.  He gets lots of questions like:
  • How many times should you take SATs?
  • If you major in Art, should you take a minor?
  • How do you follow God’s calling to a particular career?
Guidance counselors can’t do it all
But, you can get all that stuff from your school guidance counselor, right?   “Yes,” says Dave.  “However, counselors’ heavy workloads sometimes prevent them from getting to all students with the help they need much of the time.  

Each counselor could have as many as 450 students assigned to him or her.  Divide that number by the 180 school days on average.  Then add in other duties – calls, planning for college nights, testing, sponsoring the honor society, etc. – as well as the resistance they get from teachers who don’t want to stay after school to catch you up on what you missed when called out of class by a guidance counselor.  Counselors, who often are seen by some as not being busy, are actually extremely busy.”

Good thing Dave’s never too busy for someone like you to walk up to him, introduce yourself, and ask him a question.  And you’re hesitant to do that?  Why?  C’mon, do it with your friends if you have to.   But do it.

Advice from guidance counselor Dave Lesko
 
9th graders
  • Look at a senior's transcript to learn how Freshmen grades affect GPA.
  • Vo-tech students: learn skills but learn how to think faster, better, and continuously.

10th and 11th graders
  • Visit colleges and professionals school now; don't wait until your senior year.
  • Ask lots of questions of the school’s professors
  • Stay overnight in a dorm to get to know more about the school you might attend.

All high schoolers
  • Find your passion.  What makes you go, ‘Whoa?’  
  • Find the talent God wants you to use.
  • Find the rewards of a ‘transformed mind’  (Rom. 12: 1,2)