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Meet Our Counselor

Email: kristel.thrash@kosciuskoschools.com

Phone: (662) 289-4653; Counselor's office (662) 289-1176

Qualifications: B.S. Psychology M.S. Counseling Psychology, emphasis School Counseling LPC Licensed Professional Counselor

Kristel Thrash

My name is Kristel Heckman Thrash. I was born in Wisconsin, but moved to Mississippi when I was 10 years old. I am thankful that circumstances brought me to the South. It was soon after I moved to Mississippi that I became a follower of Jesus. I also met my husband of 13 years at Salem Heights Baptist Church in Laurel, MS. My husband Shane Thrash and I have 3 little boys Kristian (8), Kaden (6), and Kole (4), and we have another blessing due in June. We moved from Jones County to Kosciusko in 2015 when Shane became the Camp Manager at Central Hills Baptist Retreat.

I knew I was called to be a Counselor when I was in 7th grade. Shane was called to Christian Ministry. We began our marriage together in 2003 serving as Youth Minister in a small country church, and we have been supporting and encouraging one another through many ministry and professional endeavors since.

I started my professional career in 2006 after graduating from William Carey University with my B.S. in Psychology. I worked for 3 years at the Jones County Youth Court. I returned to the Youth Court for an additional 2 years after obtaining my M.S. in Counseling Psychology, emphasis in School Counseling. Serving in the Youth Court helped me to grow in compassion, wisdom, and resilience. Working with children and youth who were in the midst of crisis strengthened my desire to serve in a setting that allowed me to work more towards prevention and less with correction.

I was given the opportunity to serve as School Counselor at Magee Middle School in 2013. I worked for 2 years with 5th-8th graders until we moved to Kosciusko. I am now serving in my first year with the 2nd and 3rd graders of KME!

I believe a School Counselor has great power and responsibility to be the voice for students in need… not just the ones that everyone knows, but the ones that may be overlooked. Student needs usually fall into categories of emotional, social, and academic. My mission is to help provide the time, attention, and resources to ensure that ALL students have what they need to become successful… whatever that may be for each individual.