By LAURA BROOKHART / Community Columnist   

Helena High School has received a lot of attention lately as one of the newest high schools in Alabama.

For most on the outside, it appears to be just another school, a carbon copy of other schools across the state.

This is indeed what many of Helena’s new students, myself included, expected as well.

Now, almost halfway through my second and final year, I have come to realize that Helena High School is special.

Our students have over-achieved in the classroom as well as in sports, where many of our teams have competed in state playoffs.

The student environment is fresh and encouraging; very rarely have students hindered each other by bullying or fighting as is seen in other schools.

While the student body is dedicated to success, the true reason Helena High School is so outstanding is the hardworking faculty. Our principal, Mrs. Brand, along with Mrs. Bailey and all of our counselors, work very hard to have and maintain an excellent relationship with the students.

Several times already this year they have organized informational meetings for the senior students and our parents to guide us through our senior year as well as making available scholarship applications and collegiate information.

As students, we really feel like we have personal relationships with our administrators and counselors.

Teachers, too, play a very essential role at HHS. Each and every one works very hard to make sure they are understood and that their students are prepared for tests and exams.

If a student has a problem or doesn’t understand a part of their class, the teachers go out of their way—to the point of sacrificing personal time—to accommodate the students, even to tutor them during or after school.

While the success of a school is often determined by the performance of the students, it is the administrators, counselors and teachers who teach and influence us. Their guidance and dedication has allowed us to succeed.

Jordan Ellis, who shared his thoughts here at my request, is a senior at HHS with plans to pursue a BSN at Auburn and join the Military Officer Program. He will further his military career and become a CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist).