MIHS Career and College Specialist Christy Kenyon Named Counselor of the Year By ARROW

MIHS Career and College Specialist Christy Kenyon with her ARROW Awards in the Career and College Pathways Office.

Mercer Island, June 10, 2026 – Mercer Island High School career and college specialist counselor Christy Kenyon has been selected the ARROW 2026 Counselor of the Year for Washington.

ARROW, the Association for Regional Representatives of Oregon and Washington, turns to its members each year to select recipients for a variety of awards.

"Christy's work with colleges in the region, across the country, and internationally demonstrate her drive and initiative to open doors for our Islanders.  We are grateful for Christy's commitment to helping every student develop a career path that meets their needs and this recognition is well deserved,” said MIHS principal Nick Wold.

Among the comments ARROW received about Christy as part of the nomination process were sentiments such as:

• Christy has shown such passion for helping her students be college-ready by hosting a variety of events and staying in constant communication with college reps.
• Christy is so wonderful! She provides so many opportunities for college reps to visit MIHS, whether through a standard visit, an ARROW Mini-Fair, or an evening college fair combined with Bellevue HS. She is so fun to chat with, too! She brings such enthusiasm to her work.
• Visiting Mercer Island HS has become fun and exciting! Christy brings such a positive presence to visits at MIHS. She is always smiling when I see her at visits or events! Watching her talk with students shows her passion and dedication to her students. During our ARROW Mini Fair her encouragement to get students to tables was fantastic. It’s great to see a counselor who knows their students so well.
• Christy has made it both easier to visit MIHS and more worthwhile, plus she has helped create new recruitment events to help students connect with colleges.

“I’m fully aware that “counselor” is not a part of your job title,” said ARROW Chairperson Palmer Muntz. “The fact that our members selected you, though, points to the way we see your work to support Mercer Island’s students in their pursuit of their goals.

“You are a valued partner who facilitates the work of your colleagues in the building, advocates for Mercer Island’s students, helps us as college reps connect with those students, and—to put it simply—makes the lives of those around you easier and more joyful,” continued Muntz.