Finding her place

For students walking into the counseling office, an unfamiliar face may stand out among the staff, but to faculty however, Marie Blackwood is anything but unfamiliar. In 2007, Blackwood moved to Peninsula from Connecticut with her husband and two sons, both of whom have since graduated from Peninsula. After being an active parent volunteer for many years in the College and Career Center and the Counseling Office, Blackwood has returned to serve as Peninsula High School’s new registrar.

Caroline Vierzba, Peninsula High’s previous registrar, passed away on Sep. 7, 2012 due to cancer. Vierzba worked in the Counseling Office for 17 years.

Blackwood insists that she has not replaced Vierzba. Instead she “carries on the compassion and care that she showed for new students and families here at Peninsula.”

Already familiar with the campus and staff from her volunteer work, Blackwood has been able to easily transition into this job.

“I’m dealing with a lot of people I know from before which makes it easier, but now I’m dealing with them in a whole different way,” Blackwood said.

As registrar, Blackwood handles student files and records, making sure each is complete. She also fixes any incorrect student information on Aeries. A pressing part of Blackwood’s job is supervising transfer students, making sure they have the required criteria for either entering or leaving Peninsula.

“Part of my job is to make transfer students feel welcome and reassure them that everything’s going to be all right,” Blackwood said “I can relate to fears and anxieties that parents and students have transferring to a new school. I was once one of those families five years ago with my son transferring as a junior from Connecticut.”