Lindsay O’Neal was the advanced academics coordinator of Allen High School and moved in January to Washington State. She was the coordinator for Advanced Placement, Dual Credit and International Baccalaureate. She had a big impact on the International Baccalaureate for students coming into IB this year.

“She believed in all three programs, and she believed it was important to fit whatever was best for each student, so she didn’t choose one over the other,” Theory of Knowledge teacher Stephanie Smith said.

While she has been away, the teachers have helped take over until they hire a new representative for all three programs.

“The teachers who teach IB are coming into the program and they work so hard and work so well together that the teachers have come together to help fill in any of the gaps that had been there,” Smith said.

O’Neal helped expand and recreate the IB program through recreating the TOK class.

“She and I spent the summer doing a lot of research on how to build study skills effectively and how to help students manage difficult coursework,” Smith said. “Then we spent a couple of weeks just sitting down and working together to design a course. Her personality strengths are different from my personality strengths, so we really worked together very well to create a very balanced class.”

While the programs all await a new coordinator, some students and teachers reflect on what will be missed about O’Neal.

“I was really comfortable around her, I could tell her anything I want,” Junior Mrunmayee Wadekar said. “She has that aura around her that makes you open up to her.”

“She is really good at working with schedules,” Junior Rusty Davies said.

“She essentially helped me decide to take IB, she was a calm and honest counselor with helping me to take IB, and that is one thing that I will miss about her,” Junior Mei Yi Tan said.

“She is understanding,” Junior John Ross Olofernes said. “She tries to help out wherever and whenever she could.”

“Personally, she is a kind person, very kind and caring,” Smith said. “I’ll miss her as a friend as well.”

O’Neal, according to those she helped find their place in Allen High, contributed a lot to the advanced academics, and especially to the IB program these last two years she has been here. She will be missed. Her absence leaves the Allen High School with a fresh start for the next person to come take the role as the Advanced Academics coordinator.