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!

• 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