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Douglas Sawitzky– School Counselor and Varsity Girls' Basketball Coach.
What do you enjoy most about your role at Marshall? I value building meaningful relationships with students and faculty, and I love watching students grow into confident young adults over their four years.
What's one fun fact students might not know about you? I'll give a couple: I travel to Hawaii every spring or summer for a stay with close friends. I am a Fairfax County lifer and a graduate of Chantilly High School.
What advice would you give to students about making the most of high school? I believe success in high school comes down to three key things I share with all my freshmen during the Meet the Counselor session: attendance, completing assignments, and asking for help when needed.
Attendance is straightforward—being present is the first step to doing well. For assignments, it's essential to find an organization system that works for you, whether it's an electronic calendar or a planner. As life gets busier, having a system helps you stay on top of responsibilities and avoid forgetting important tasks.
If you're ever confused or struggling, ask for help. Whether it's your teacher, counselor, or another trusted adult, there are plenty of adults here who want to support you—whether that means finding strategies or just listening.
Lastly, remember that your happiness and health come first. Find something in high school that brings you joy. With over 100 clubs and a wide variety of sports, there's something for everyone to get involved in and enjoy.
If you could give one piece of advice to Marshall's parents, what would it be? If I could give one piece of advice to Marshall's parents, it would be to stay engaged and present in your child's journey. Celebrate their successes, support them through challenges, and trust that growth, both academic and personal, happens over time. High schoolers won't always show it, but you being present means a lot more to most than gets conveyed!
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