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.”