Cherokee High’s Hillary Nichols Named Zone Counselor of the Year

<p><em>Woodstock Community News| Woodstock, GA</em></p><p>The Cherokee County School District has named Hillary Nichols of Cherokee High School as the 2026 Cherokee Innovation Zone Counselor of the Year. The district announced the recognition on Feb. 2 to mark the start of National School Counseling Week, an annual event highlighting the impact of school counselors on student success.</p><p>Nichols’ connection to Cherokee High School began in 2013 during her student teaching semester. According to Nichols, helping students navigate personal crises during that time inspired her to move beyond strict academics and focus on holistic student well-being. Following that experience, she pursued her school counseling credentials at the University of Georgia.</p><p>In her current role, Nichols emphasizes the importance of supporting students through major milestones, from their first day of high school through graduation and postsecondary planning. She noted that her priority is ensuring students care for themselves so they can perform academically.</p><p>Nichols also integrates her background in photography and design into her counseling work to reach students and families. She manages the school’s social media presence and designs visual resources to make school information more accessible and engaging for the community.</p>