HJHS students form a heart during an assembly last week to honor and thank school counselor Rachel Groves. Last week was National School Counselor Week. Students from both seventh and eighth grade read statements about how much they care for their counselor and to thank her for what she does for them. | Randy Garrison

Hartselle Junior High School honored their school counselor last week on Counselor Appreciation Week. During an assembly, Rachel Groves was recognized for her work at HJHS. Each student had a word written down on paper about Groves and held them up during the assembly. Several HJHS students also spoke about Groves during the assembly.

National School Counseling Week is held to focus public attention on the unique contributions of school counselors in the nations schools.

HJHS eighth grader Hannah Gregory used this acronym to describe Groves

G- Growth, she helps the students grow so they will be ready for their high school and beyond years.

R-Reliable, When she tells someone she is going to do something, she does it no matter what.

O-Optimistic-she always is ready with preparations for the future for each and every single student that passes through these halls

V-Values-She values each and everyone’s personality and thoughts

E-Empathy-being a counselor, she always knows how someone feels and how to take that emotion and create it into a wonderful thing

S- Shining- she is always reflecting a shining personality on everyone and lets students feel like they belong.

New student to HJHS, Maggie Drummond said Groves made her transition much easier. She went out of her way to explain what she could expect at HJHS and let her know she would like the school.

Tad Sivley says Groves goes out of her way to get to know all of the students at HJHS.

Jenni Cate Rhodes says Groves always knows exactly what to say to make each student feel better.

Kalin Sharp says Groves has really helped one of her friends who is having difficult family issues.

McKenna Wright says Groves cared so much about the volleyball team that she brought each member into her office after Coach Robin Riley died last year to make sure they were doing okay after such a hard time.

Groves is in her third year at HJHS. She lives in Hartselle with her husband Eddie and children Bella and Olivia. Eddie is the head basketball coach at Fairview High School.