We are school counselors in the same school district.  After working together on a presentation for a conference, we realized we both have the same capacity to dream big and envision creative lessons!  It is so much fun to work with someone who never puts up a stop sign when a big idea is presented, but instead says, “I love it!  Let’s figure out how to make it happen.”  The only thing that gets in the way of our productivity is how hard we laugh when we’re together!

Laura Rankhorn
I received my school counseling degree from The University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama.  These were some of the most difficult times for me! UNA was a 3 hour commute one way.  I worked all day at an elementary school, and then three times a week I loaded up at 3:00 to drive 3 hours to arrive on time (or if we’re honest, most days not on time) for my 6:00 class.  Did I mention I had a baby during this time?  Yeeeeah, it was tough, but every part of it: the education, the baby, everything was absolutely worth it!

I now have 2 little girls.  Victoria Belle is 4 years old, and Ellie Blair is 2.  My husband, J.C., and I have been married for 14 years.  He is a biology teacher at the high school attached to the elementary school where I work.  Most days we enjoy riding together.

Kim Crumbly
I have worked with each age group during my sixteen years in education.  However, eight years ago I found my niche when I became the school counselor at Parkside Elementary.  Remind me to tell you the story of how I “aced my interview.”

I love to make my lessons magical and memorable for my students.  It is not uncommon for me to be dressed as a character that relates to what I’m teaching that day.  I may be a tree, a candy-land character, Sherlock Holmes, or any other character I can dream up!

I was so excited when my school recently gained international attention for our exceptional culture and climate when Warner Brothers, the Today Show, and the cast of the
Harry Potter movies visited our school!

I earned my master’s degree in school counseling from the University of West Alabama. I have also worked as an advocate and educator for parents of special needs children. I am a mom of two boys, and I just had my first granddaughter!

Leka Anitema is a nationally recognized school counselor and 2026 finalist for the American School Counselor Association School Counselor of the Year. At Maui High School, Leka serves as post high counselor leading college, career, military and workforce readiness across schoolwide and statewide. Sometimes known as “Mama Leks,” shaped by her years as a soccer goalkeeper and protective leader, and “Auntie Aloha” for the care she shows to everyone, Leka is also known for pioneering efforts in early college access, Seal of Biliteracy advocacy, service as the Hawaii Association for College Admission Counseling Maui County representative, supporting workforce-bound graduates, and leading the growing MHS Foundation Scholarship Committee.

Raised on Maui as the child of an immigrant in a rural island community, Leka grew up with early responsibility and limited access to opportunity. No stranger to non-traditional education and life experience, she earned a degree in linguistics yet began her professional career as a human physiology teacher and science department chair before transitioning into school counseling during COVID, expanding her impact across educational systems and student pathways. A mother of four, she is a pioneer in expanding access, committed to removing barriers and ensuring opportunity is shaped by positive relationships, not geography or circumstance.