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Rush is ready for the next challenge Guidance counselor leaves Union High School to work at ECCC

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whether it's peer pressure, or grades, or friends. High school is hard... and some– times they can't see past that, so I always tell them 'if it's not eternal, it doesn't mat– ter.' "Just to try to shift the focus from how they're feeling right now," she said. "I want them to remember that for how they're deal– ing in their own lives, and also how they treat other people." Maldftl the chana• "Iwasn't really looking (for another job)," she said about applying for the position at ECCC. "It was brought to my attention sev- eral months ago. So I started praying that whatever God wanted me to do would work out. So every step alongtheway, it was clear that this is where God was pointingme." "It'll be a challenge," she said of her new responsibilities. "Some aspects of the job will be similar to what I do now, as far as grades and enrollment, and transcripts. But there will be a lot of things that are different. Instead of working with the state Depart– ment of Education, I'll be working with the community college board." Rush's first day at ECCC is June 1. She'll likely spend a couple ofweeks transitioning as the school year ends at Union. "I'm excited and nervous at the same ,• time," she said, chuckling. "Parts of I think •· about and I get excited, but there are other parts I think about and get overwhelmed." Rush is married and has three sons, ages 11, 8, and 2. The older kids go to school at Union, which means she'll be around, just not as a counselor. .

By Bill Graham bg~newtoncountyappeal.com

"You're not going to find someone who loves Union High School more than I do," says Deanna Rush, the school's guidance counselor. ..I'm not unhappy -I'm not trying to get out of Union. But I also loved East Central, and know what a great thing it is for our community too. I really think it's where God wants me now." Rush Is leaving the counselor's office at Union to become the director of admissions at East Central Community College in De– catur. For Rush, a Union native, it's the next step in a long career of helping students. She was a young student at Union High ·School when she decided she wanted to be a guidance counselor. "I used to tell Ms. PollyGordon (the coun– selor) I was going to come take her place," she said, smiling. "And I did." Rush has served as counselor at the high school for the past four years. She joined the district 13 years ago, working first as an EngUsh teacher, then as a counselor at the middle school. "I loved teaching," Rush said. "But there was always somethingabout counseling that appealed to me." "A lot of kids have no guidance," she said. "They have no idea where to go Cor help, per– ~ sonally, or for college. They always seemed comfortable coming to me, even when I was . in the classroom." c

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to focus on their long-term futures. I "Kids get so caught up today, in the mo- take- me." ment," she said. "It's hard for teenagers to

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