Question
1. How would you describe the following stage in the process of writing a paper about a guidance counselor?
A lot of people are in college because a person gave them dreams. They tell stories of a parent, or a teacher, or a grandparent, or a friend who believed in them. I owe my being in college to one of the worst people I’ve ever met. That would be my high school guidance counselor, Mrs. Ressler. I told Mrs. Ressler that I wanted to go to college, and she gave me an amused look. She asked what my father did and wanted to know if he went to college. I swear she knew the answer. “I don’t know,” I told her. “My father isn’t around.” “I see,” she said, shaking her head. “And what does your mother do?” I KNOW she knew the answer to that. “My mother is a chambermaid at the Holiday Inn,” I answered. “Oh, yes,” she said. “Your dad isn’t around and your mother is a maid. And you still think you are qualified to go to college? Get real, young man.” I was only 17, and I didn’t answer her the way I wish I had. I just stood up and left her office. From that day on, I wanted to wipe that smile off of Mrs. Ressler’s face. I thought to myself that I would be going to college.
