SHINE WITH HELIOS
Educating, Equipping, and Empowering for Success
Helios was founded to help you understand and manage the college admissions process so it's a positive experience. The more you know about what colleges want and how they evaluate you, the more you are in control. Helios helps by educating you about the aspects of the college admissions process, equipping you to make the best decisions for yourself, and empowering you to find and gain acceptance to schools where you will thrive. Through personalized, comprehensive college counseling, Helios helps you make the most of high school while preparing for success in the college admissions process.
ABOUT JULIE
Julie Simons graduated Phi Beta Kappa with Honors in English from Stanford University and also earned an MA in English from Stanford University. She did further graduate work at the University of Pennsylvania as a Penn Scholar. Julie's career has always revolved around education – whether as a college advisor, editor, teacher, facilitator, or mentor. In college, Julie served as Student Director of the Stanford Writing Center. She went on to teach high school English at Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania and then freshman writing at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Miami. She has served as Education Vice President for the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County and Impact Awareness Grants Chair for the Jewish Women's Foundation of the Greater Palm Beaches. In 2008, Julie founded GirlFuture, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating and empowering girls in southeast Florida. Through GirlFuture, she mentored hundreds of girls and partnered with independent schools in Palm Beach County, the School District of Palm Beach County, and dozens of nonprofit organizations in South Florida to help girls prepare for independent, successful futures. Julie is a Professional Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and a member of the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA). She spends several weeks each summer visiting different colleges and universities and talking with admissions officers. Julie served as a Director of College Counseling at a prominent South Florida firm from 2016 - 2018 and founded Helios College Counseling at the end of 2018. She is passionate about helping people believe in themselves, set goals, and reach their potential.
ABOUT DIANA
Diana Lazarus earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University and her Master of Arts in Teaching with a Concentration in English from American University. She taught high school English for two decades at Germantown Friends School, the Shipley School, and Sidwell Friends School (Washington, DC). In recognition of her teaching at Sidwell Friends, she was awarded the Goldberg Family Award for Teaching Excellence. As the in-house Upper School writing tutor at Sidwell Friends, Diana provided one-on-one organizational, writing, and reading support to students. Beyond the classroom, Diana has mentored students in her roles as an advisor, the faculty advisor to the school newspaper, and the Ninth Grade Dean. A former collegiate athlete, Diana also coached high school tennis for five years. She has also served on search committees, the Honor Committee, and the Learning Support Committee at Sidwell Friends. For the past seven years, Diana has served as the Assistant Admissions Director for Sidwell Friends’ Upper School, giving her an invaluable insider perspective on and experience with competitive admissions. Diana began working with Helios College Counseling as an essay coach three years ago and is an Associate Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA). As the mother of three college-age children, Diana has experienced the college admissions process from both sides, making her extremely empathetic and excited to support and empower her students.
WHY USE A COLLEGE COUNSELOR?
While college admissions get more competitive and therefore more stressful every year, there is a healthy way to approach the college admissions process and be poised for success. With the right support, the college admissions process becomes positive and exciting. An independent college counselor can give you an advantage by providing insight and helping to manage your college admissions process so it is easier and more rewarding.
WHY CHOOSE HELIOS?
Julie is an experienced college counselor with a proven track record. She loves what she does and feels working with students to help them define and reach their goals for college and beyond is a tremendous privilege. Beyond that, Julie understands the college admissions process from both sides. She has lived through the process with her three college-aged children and understands it as a parent, not only as a professional. She understands the stress for students, parents, and entire families because she has been there – and she's dedicated to helping you manage the process with empathy and laughter.
CONTACT JULIE
Want to learn more about how Julie can help you? Want to make your life easier? Gain an advantage in the college admissions process? Contact Julie for a complimentary consultation to see if working with Helios is right for you.