College & Career Counselors

Anna Rigali, HHS North
Send Anna Rigali an Email

Savana Hennessey, HHS Dean
Send Savana Hennessey an Emai

Carmen Zayas, Post-secondary advisory, HHS Opportunity Academy
Send Carmen Zayas an Email

College Access Programs

Gear Up
Grades 10-12

Mary Colon
Send Mary Colon an Email

The Holyoke High School College Counseling program aims to provide all students, grades 9-12, with the information, skills and resources they need to pursue a postsecondary education. To accomplish this mission, school counselors meet with students in groups and individually to provide college counseling. In addition, stand-alone workshops are offered to all students and caregivers to educate families about the different aspects of post-secondary planning. The college counseling team is led by a College and Career Counselor and is supported by the school counseling department.

Students and families can make an appointment with Ms. Rigali, College & Career Counselor, here

Visit (and subscribe to) Ms. Rigali’s YouTube Channel for tutorials and videos about college!

Read the College Counseling Newsletter for the latest updates on upcoming events and action steps students should take.

• School Counseling/Guidance

• College Planning and Financial Aid

• HHS North School Profile 2023-24

• Programs of Study & Course Catalog 2023-24

  • En Español

• Learn about careers and colleges in Freshman Seminar

• Use MEFA Pathway to explore careers and majors

• Visit with college reps at HHS

• Consider signing up for Gear Up

• Consider applying for the Early College program at HHS

• Use MEFA Pathway to explore careers and majors

• Take the PSAT

• Use Khan Academy to practice for the SAT

• Visit with college reps at HHS

• Continue to explore colleges and careers through your academy, the work-based learning program, college websites, and by attending workshops offered at HHS

• Consider applying for the Westfield Promise Program or the HCC early college program

• Attend group sessions with school counselors to learn about college (counselors come into classes)

• Talk individually with counselors about postsecondary plans

• Meet with the work-based learning staff to set-up internships or to obtain work

• Take the PSAT in fall

• Use Khan Academy to study for the SAT

• Take the SAT or ACT in the spring

• Visit with college reps at HHS and visit colleges

• Make a college list and share with the college counseling department

• Research colleges using search tools and websites

• Attend workshops offered by HHS

• Ask teachers to write letters of recommendation

• Summer: write a college essay

• Summer: start college applications

• Refine your college list and share with college counseling department

• Visit with college reps at HHS and visit colleges

• Take the SAT/ACT in the fall

• Ask teachers to write letters of recommendation

• Apply to college

• Apply for financial aid

• Apply for scholarships-HHS posts many

• Take any required placement tests (community college)

• Work with the work-based learning staff for post-secondary job placement