Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Former GHS Graduate Honored For Counseling Work

Donald Almond, a counselor at Rison Schools since 1977 recently received an honor for his 20 year dedication. He was chosen Counselor of the year for Southeast Arkansas. In order to be nominated for this distinction, one has to be a member of the Arkansas School Counselors Association.

Don attended his elementary school days in Hope, Prescott, and Gurdon Public Schools. After moving back to Gurdon in the sixth grade year, he attended Gurdon Junior and Senior High School until graduation in 1966.

He attended Henderson State University in Arkadelphia and received a Master of Science Degree in Secondary Counseling, and a Secondary Education in English.

Almond is married to Roxy and they have two sons, Brian and Shawn. Roxy works with Kindergarten students as a title I teacher assistant also at Rison.

As a youthful lad in Gurdon, he delivered newspapers by bicycle for almost four years. Then he began working part-time for a grocery chain as stocker, sacker, and checker. He worked after school and on Saturdays.

Don's Mother, Mrs. Ruby Waren still resides in Gurdon.

"There are a lot of good counelors in Southeast Arkansas. I feel humble being selected. I just wish I had more hours to do what I need to do," Almond said.