A counselor at Middle Park High School has been selected for
a prestigious award from the Rocky Mountain Association for College Admissions
Counseling.
Ben Polonowski has been selected for the Cynthia Gayles
Award, the highest award offered by the Rocky Mountain Association. Only one
counselor from each of the five affiliated states in the association is
selected each year.
“To be selected to represent the state of Colorado is beyond
description,” Polonowski said.
The award is given for outstanding service in the field of college admissions to a counselor who has demonstrated hard work to get students ready for college.
Polonowski’s work as a counselor includes helping to grow
the annual Middle Park scholarship fair, increasing college credit programs at
the high school and expanding opportunities for students to visit and hear from
different higher education options. He also spent five years as a regional
representative for the Colorado School Counselor Association.
“It is a fantastic award,” Polonowski said. “I feel
fortunate to be a part of a wonderful system at East Grand School District and Middle
Park High School, surrounded by a community of active learners — both students
and teachers.”
The award includes a full scholarship to a counseling
conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Polonowski said he hopes to continue helping Grand County
students move from high school to higher education.
“It inspires me to continue to advocate for a community
college in this county,” Polonowski said. “We are one of few counties in the
state that does not have a community college within its boundaries.”