Leopard Look: Janet Richardson

Nnenna Nchege, Staff Writer • August 22, 2018

New counselor Janet Richardson comes to LHS after 30 years in the educational system.

In the counselor suite upstairs in D-hall, new counselor Janet Richardson is settling into life as a Leopard and her role as an aid for students with last names beginning with L-Pa.

At a Glance:

Favorite classic movie: Casablanca

Favorite food: Chocolate cake

Favorite sport: College football

Favorite holiday: Christmas

Least favorite animal: Snake

Looking Deeper:

The Red Ledger: What school did you come from? What was your role there?

Janet Richardson: I have been a school counselor in Oklahoma all the way from elementary to high school. But I just came from a private practice in Plano. That’s what I’ve been doing for the last three years.

TRL: What is your role now as a counselor at Lovejoy?

JR: I am a counselor and also the IMPACT counselor. So if there are some students who are having some social and emotional needs above and beyond what their normal counselor would help them with, then they would come here, and we would work out some issues.

TRL: What are you most excited about as a new counselor at Lovejoy?

JR: Just meeting new people and learning all the nuances of the school and learning about what Lovejoy has to offer.

TRL: What is your favorite part about being a counselor?

JR: I love working with the students. Just getting to know them and being able to help them solve problems.

TRL: How long have you been working in the school system?

JR: I started working in the school system in 1981, right out of college. I’ve been a certified teacher for a very long time. I got my LPC in 1997 so I’ve worked in both an outpatient clinic as well as a school counselor.

TRL: Can you tell us a little bit about your family? Outside of work, what does your life mostly consist of?

JR: My husband and I have been married for 23 years. I have a daughter whose name is Sarah who has a son named Jeremy. Outside of work my life mostly consists of my family. Spending time with them is very important to me. My husband, daughter, and grandson are my only family here in Texas.

TRL: What is some of the best advice you can give students struggling with emotional problems?

JR: To get help. To be able to talk about it and open up, because if we don’t let out our feelings, we are going to act them out. The best way is to find someone that you can talk with: a school counselor, parent or adult, even a friend, but [find] someone to talk to get those emotions out and don’t hold them in.

About the Contributors

Nnenna Nchege, Staff Writer

Senior Nnenna Nchege is entering her second and final year on The Red Ledger staff. As Nnenna prepares to end her journey at Lovejoy, she is proud to spend her last year of high school as a returning staff writer for the publication. While Nnenna awaits the acceptance letter to her dream school Spelman College, she plans on doing her best to improve her writing skills and provide the most optimal work to her capability. Outside of school Nnenna enjoys shopping, watching sports, reading, and eating at one of her favorite places- Mr. Wok.

Grace Nguyen, Section Editor

Fueled daily by three iced vanilla coffees, standing at 5’2”, Grace Nguyen will walk into the E103 door with no problem. Grace is entering senior year, and the only reason she is believed to have survived high school is because of the napping couch in the photography studio. During her time on staff, Grace has been to almost every football game, win or loss, and wouldn’t have changed a thing. Yes, Grace has been tackled by football players, run over by coaches, and body slammed by referees. Nonetheless, Grace will confidently walk on the field this year, bruises and all, alongside her sideline media team. Stepping outside the newsroom, which is rare, Grace enjoys playing softball, hanging out with family and friends, and finding excuses to go to every $3 Pazookie Tuesdays at BJ’s. After high school, Grace hopes to pursue a career in sports photojournalism, so watch out for her still getting run over by athletes on ESPN in the years to come. Although it’s bittersweet to leave newspaper upon graduation, Grace is thankful for all the opportunities that she’s had on staff. Through The Red Ledger, Grace created long-lasting friendships and won a lot of awards that she never imagined was possible. Grace hopes that current and future staffers will think of this national-award-winning publication the same way as she did–a second family and their home away from home.