Our counselors here at Pahrump Valley High School are one of the key components to keep the school and the students’ progress running smoothly. You can go see them for a variety of things that you need help with: schedule issues, tardies, password and Chromebook problems, teacher issues, questions about your graduation progress, and simply to talk. Almost anything you could need, you can go see them for. Except for wanting to get out of class. Aside from counseling, the counselors do other things out of the office, like subbing, dealing with minor disciplinary issues, and checking on students who have too many absences. There are five counselors for PVHS, and they all manage a different group of students.
Jeff Corbett is the counselor for all of the ninth grade. He is also the head coach for girls’ flag football. Mr. Corbett previously worked at Hafen Elementary and is enjoying his sixth year at PVHS. One of the things Mr. Corbett enjoys most about counseling is the variety of the position; there is always something new happening. That can make it difficult to try and keep things organized, but he manages it.
Mike Abbiss is the tenth through twelfth-grade counselor for last names O-Z. Starting in 2007, this is his 19th year at PVHS, so he has seen it all. Aside from counseling, Mr. Abbiss is the Key Club advisor and previously the counselor for Adult Ed. Speaking with the students and seeing their growth is what he enjoys most. On the more difficult side, it is really tough when counselors are forced to contact CPS, or when a student has lost all hope and considers suicide. Comfort is a super important aspect to have with your counselor, but in the past couple of years, many of Mr. Abbiss’ students would share things that he doesn’t really need the details on. He has a lot of inside knowledge on menstrual cycles from female students who have gone to him. He likes to know the things that are going on in a student’s life, but knowing about whatever the student did over the weekend with their significant other is something he’d be better off not knowing.
Roger Ottolino is the tenth through twelfth-grade counselor for last names G-N. This is Mr. Ottolino’s fourth year at PVHS. Before that, he worked in Clark County and Esmeralda County. Talking to students is what he looks forward to coming to work every day. Every day is also an exciting experience. He claims, “There is never a “normal” day in the office, anything can happen, and it can be very crazy.”
Fawn Lewis is counselor for grades tenth through twelfth-grade for last names A-F. This is her first year here at PVHS and working for the Nye County School District. The best thing to her about counseling is working and talking with the students. “I never know what my day is gonna look like, and I love that.” With around 40 years of experience in education, the most difficult thing is figuring out district policies and making them work for the students. As counselors, sometimes the changes are challenging to implement, but they get it done.
Jen Hagstrom is our Gear Up (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) counselor for PVHS. Gear Up helps any and all students prepare for and succeed with college and future careers. Ms. Hagstrom has worked for the NSCD for 21 years, 18 of those being at PVHS. She is also our athletic director. Her main goal has been to get the resources and opportunities to take students to see things they may not have been exposed to. Gear Up hosts trips to college campuses and sets up events with vendors; all so students have the exposure to future options, and Ms. Hagstrom is the brains behind the operation!
Seeing anywhere from 15-60 different students every day, the counselors are always busy, but whenever you need anything or just need someone to talk to, they will always be there. Just shoot them an email and they´ll send for you.
