Hard work, challenges — and strong guidance

The debate in Tara Westlund’s house isn’t whether she’ll go to college, but where.

The Blue Valley Northwest High School senior’s parents are proud Mizzou graduates. “We started with nothing but our college degrees,” Debbie Westlund said.

That and hard work launched Terry Westlund on a career as a financial adviser, and Debbie on her way as part owner of a small business. They bought a house in Overland Park and sent their daughters to the area’s top-regarded public schools.

To Debbie’s way of thinking, an education at the University of Missouri is a great investment. Her older daughter is enrolled there.

Tara has other ideas.

“I want to go everywhere and see everything and meet everyone,” she said.

Her notion of a great college is Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., or maybe Boston University or Columbia University in New York.

She has the credentials. Tara is sixth in class rank at her competitive school. Her work as yearbook editor last year won a national design award. She’s a National Merit commended scholar and she’s taken enough college-level classes to enroll in some universities as a junior.

She’s interested in three areas of study — civil engineering, art history and romance languages.

Students at Blue Valley Northwest who think big about college — and there are many — have a great resource.

Her name is Mary Friend. Her job is getting students admitted to college.

Friend has been college coordinator at her school for 21 years. She’s a pro, with valuable know-how and contacts in admissions offices. Whether a student is looking at K-State or Princeton, Friend will tell them how to get a leg up. She’s so good at finding scholarships, teachers swear she could squeeze blood out of a turnip.

As a freshman, Tara started meeting with Friend. The counselor has pushed her to take challenging courses. She’s given advice on how to write essays and fill out applications.

On New Year’s Day, Tara finished her last essay. She’s mailed applications to nine schools. Now she waits.