Becky Marchant, counselor, was granted the 2010 Donald G. Hays Professional Recognition Award for [Outstanding School Counselor of the Year] on Oct. 30. This prestigious award is given to only one counselor in California every year.

“I think it is a well-deserved honor for Mrs. Marchant to receive the California Counselor of the Year. She has devoted her entire career to assisting students and has been a great counselor at BOHS,” said principal Jerry Halpin.

Even though Marchant was a previous finalist for the National Counselor of the Year Award, she was not expecting to be recognized by the state.

“I was surprised, honored, excited, and humbled [to receive this award] since there are so many deserving high school guidance counselors out there. I truly don’t think I stand out from the other counselors out there. I cannot imagine a more dedicated and professional group,” said Marchant.

As a counselor, Marchant is responsible for sophomores, juniors, and seniors with last names Li-Re.

She is also a representative and founding member of the Orange County Chapter of the California Association of School Counselors (OCCSAC). This group helps represent the guidance counselors in Orange County by putting on special workshops and events that relate to those working in local high schools.

“Marchant is an amazing counselor to all of her students and an amazing mentor to her colleagues and future counselors. She also creates doors for her students who otherwise wouldn’t have certain opportunities [through] Brea Pride,” said Jennifer Fiamengo, counselor.

Brea Pride is a club for first-generation, underrepresented college-bound students. Marchant is its founder and administrator.

“We take college field trips, have guest speakers, and work together on college applications and the financial aid process. Our motto is ‘Determination, Passion & Heart.’ Many of our Brea Pride students have gone on to wonderful college programs. This group means a lot to me,” said Marchant.

Before becoming a counselor, Marchant was a teacher, but soon realized that teaching was not her true passion.

“I decided to be a counselor [when] I realized that I was really more interested in the students in my classes than in the curriculum being taught,” explained Marchant. “I found that talking to them about life issues, their future, and discussing the array of possibilities for them was what I looked forward to each day.”

Students are Marchant’s top priority, and this dedication is evident through her persistence in searching for ways to improve in counseling.

“[Marchant] helped me balance out my schedule. Her approach is very inviting, and she gave off a friendly vibe, which made it easy to talk to her,” said Michelle Lu, sophomore.

While counseling takes up a major part of Marchant’s life, she is an avid photographer and traveler.

Photography has always been a special interest for Marchant, as it [was] passed down from her father.

“My dad was an avid photographer during pre-WWII and always took pictures on the ‘manual setting’ on his camera. He taught me at age ten to take pictures the same way,” said Marchant.

As a photographer, she has enjoyed traveling to many places over the world, including countries such as China, Spain, and France. Throughout her travels, Marchant has collected many unique and unforgettable memories.

“My family and I were led on a tour of prehistoric cave paintings in Spain by lantern light. We felt like explorers as we climbed and squeezed through the different chambers looking at amazing images of animals and human figures,” shared Marchant. “I’ve [also seen] a volcano erupt, caught vampire bats with a researcher, explored jungle areas with monkeys in the trees and snakes under the leaves and studied blue, black and red tropical birds who dance to attract a mate.”

Whether she is traveling around the globe taking photos, or guiding students toward a successful future, Marchant constantly drives to become the counselor that students can go to without feeling uncomfortable or afraid.

“Mrs. Marchant is so well versed in all aspects of counseling that its no surprise she was able to earn such a high recognition. [She] is well known throughout the ‘counseling world’ and she is fearless,” said Fiamengo.
Throughout her life, Marchant’s most memorable influence was her mother, who instilled in her a sense of confidence and responsibility that allowed her to constantly maintain a positive, encouraging attitude.

“You can never get to the point where you think there is nothing else to improve. There is always something you can do better. Always,” said Marchant.