By: Hailey Young-Stewart
Sometimes you might not actually think about who’s working around the school until you actually need help. There’s a new person sitting front and center, whether to help you plan for your future, need someone to talk to, or simply need to change a class. The new Guidance Counselor, Savannah Briles, at Federal Hocking High School is here to help. Briles has come to fill in the role quickly and quite well after the departure of FH’s old Guidance Counselor Emma Wright.
For Briles, the path to becoming a guidance counselor has been years in the making. Even since her early high school years, Briles has wanted to be a therapist. The pull toward being a therapist or working within the mental health field has always been something for her.
“I feel like it’s always been something where I’m an emotionally in-tune individual and something I’ve always wanted to get into.”
Originally, before becoming a guidance counselor, she set out to become an art therapist, hoping to blend creativity with mental health support. Briles pursued a dual degree in psychology and art therapy, hoping to continue working toward getting her master’s. However, as things became harder with credentialing, Briles’ plan to get her master’s was put to the side.
“Well, if I can’t do art in therapy, I’ll do therapy.”
After a realization, Briles quickly realized that typical therapy without the artistic aspect wasn’t really fit for her. Even with that, Briles stayed the course, and it paid off as she earned her school counseling degree this past May.
When working to become a therapist, Briles explained that there have been a few people mentors and counselors that inspired her to become a therapist. A multitude of people have been mentors who have molded her to continue her journey into therapy-type work. Even with the many counselors in her years that inspired her, one person she mentioned helped her most was her own mother.
“My mom has helped me with my emotional connection to people and being more empathetic towards others.”
While earning her degrees, Briles studied at Capital University of Columbus and Ohio University. During her time at Ohio University, she interned at Meigs High School. After earning her diploma, she chose not to stay working there and decided to look into other schools due to it not being as team-oriented. This led Briles to look into FH.
Briles took an interest in FH after some of the news surrounding the school and possibly looking to make a change. What she liked most about the school was how small it was because she felt there was more of a sense of closeness in it, even with the issues the school was dealing with. It seemed way more team-oriented than her last experience with Meigs High School. However, she was a bit surprised by how close-knit the school is and really enjoys the small traditions FH has. Since Briles started working here, she has stated:
“I really liked the circumstances, and everyone knows it wasn’t great, but it’s getting to a point where it’s relatively normal.”
Her presence hasn’t gone unnoticed among the staff either. Nick Warmke, a teacher at FH, shared his thoughts on Briles joining the team.
“I’m happy to have her here. She seems great, and I’m sure she’ll do great things. I’m glad she chose to work here.”
His words reflect the optimism and support felt throughout the school as Briles steps into her new role.
Before becoming the new guidance counselor at our school, she spent much of her childhood on the move. With her father serving in the military, her family relocated often.
“We moved five or six times before settling down. I’ve lived in Wisconsin, Georgia, Colorado, and Ohio.”
At 14, she and her family moved to Meigs County, where she’s remained closely connected ever since. She graduated from Meigs High School in 2018, and it’s clear she shares a strong bond with her mom, as she was the person to go on and help her build her career and inspire her into doing therapy work.
During her current life outside of school, Briles enjoys a peaceful and fulfilling routine with her husband, Ezra, and their cat, Minnie. Ezra works as an IT specialist at Ohio University, and the couple lives just five minutes away from her parents. She and Ezra have been together for 11 years, having started dating at just 13 years old.
“He is my best friend and he’s the best.”
At home, she enjoys simple joys: going on walks, solving puzzles, spending time with Ezra and Minnie, and getting into embroidery. Cleaning, she admits, is one of her favorite activities, and she also finds happiness in cooking, listening to music, and spending time with friends.
A fan of The Muppets, she’s especially inspired by a quote from Kermit the Frog:
“I’ve got a dream too, but it’s about singing, dancing, and making people happy. That’s the kind of dream that gets better the more people you share with. And, well, I’ve found a whole bunch of friends who have the same dream. And that kinda makes us like a family.”
The message resonates with her both personally and professionally, reflecting the kind of warmth and community she values.
As for their cat, Minnie, she’s sweet but anxious, and currently medicated for her anxiety, and not always a fan of being touched. Briles describes her as fairly skittish and not interested in going out or wanting to be anywhere but home. There was one particular incident Briles described with Minnie when it came to her anxiety.
“She was pulling back so hard in the crate, it looked like her nails were going to come off.”
Despite the challenges both personal and professional, Briles shows up each day at FH with kindness, patience, and a real commitment to helping students. Whether she’s helping someone switch a class, figure out their plans after high school, or just needs to be someone to talk to, Briles brings a calm and caring attitude to every conversation.
Richard Spindler, the new principal at FH while only knowing Briles for a short period of time also had some things to say about her.
“I would say Mrs. Briles is a very caring person, always smiling, and eager to help the students. She is a fun person to be around!”
Her path hasn’t been a straight line, but every step studying art therapy, interning at Meigs, or moving from place to place growing up has helped her get to where she is today. And while her cat Minnie might prefer staying home, Briles is stepping into her new role with confidence and heart, making her office a safe space for anyone who needs it.
The quote from Kermit the Frog that she loves really shows what matters to her sharing dreams, helping others, and building a sense of community. With her creativity, empathy, and positive attitude, Savannah Briles isn’t just the new guidance counselor; she’s already an important part of the FH family.
