May Ibasco: Leaving a Legacy
As she leaves Stanton for a new position, guidance counselor May Ibasco leaves a lasting legacy among students and staff members.
By AMANI OKERO, Section Editor
At the close of the 2022–23 school year, students at Stanton College Preparatory School bid farewell to their classmates and reflected on the faculty and staff members who made an impact on their lives, big or small. While students' time at Stanton may be short compared to their instructors and counselors, they rarely forget the faculty and staff members who played a part in their academic journey. One figure in particular, Ms. May Ibasco, one of Stanton’s guidance counselors, has had a significant influence on the school and its students. Today, she will officially leave Stanton for a counseling position at Episcopal School of Jacksonville in its College Counseling Office.
An avid traveller, Ms. Ibasco visited Minnehaha Falls in 2021.
Since arriving at Stanton in 2009, Ms. Ibasco’s career as a guidance counselor has encompassed crucial roles such as being a support system, providing helpful advice, and being involved in the school's leadership through her department chair position. Her journey to Stanton began after she received her master’s degree in school counseling from the University of North Florida and joined the faculty.
As a new member of the school’s faculty, Ms. Ibasco worked closely with her colleagues and soon adjusted to Stanton's unique school environment. After adapting to Stanton, she became an integral part of the guidance department and gained the respect of both students and colleagues.
“May Ibasco has been an incredible influence on me and everyone at Stanton College Preparatory School,” said Ms. Misa Watanabe, Stanton guidance counselor. “As department chair of the Guidance Department, she held everything together with her love, care and respect for others. She inspired me to become a better person and I'm proud to call her one of my best friends. Words can't express how much she means to both students and faculty and staff. We will truly miss her presence here at Stanton.”
Working alongside Ms. Ibasco for the past five years proved equally rewarding for Mrs. Joyce Martin, a guidance department support staff member.
“I first met Ms. Ibasco when I started working at Stanton in January 2017,” said Mrs. Martin, “Ms. Ibasco has been a great leader, as well as a great friend. Now it is time for her to adventure to new horizons.”
In the years since her arrival at Stanton, Ms. Ibasco’s contributions to Stanton have been far-reaching, and to teachers, students, and faculty, she will be greatly missed.
(from left) Mrs. Joyce Martin, Ms. Misa Watanabe, Mr. Kyle Fessenden, Ms. Tamla Simmons, and Ms. May Ibasco provide support and guidance to Stanton’s student body.
“The reason we feel so broken about Ms. Ibasco leaving is because she was not just great at her job, with an encyclopedic knowledge of processes, she invested in and loved the people she worked with,” said Ms. Tamla Simmons, Stanton’s International Baccalaureate Program coordinator. “She did it all with a style and charisma that left our hearts wanting so much more.”
Like Ms. Simmons, many of Stanton’s teachers consider Ms. Ibasco more than just a valuable staff member.
“May Ibasco is, quite simply, irreplaceable,” said Ms. Amy Johns, Stanton English teacher. “She is one of the pillars that supports Stanton and helps maintain its legacy of greatness. I am torn between my happiness for her as she pursues her dreams and my own selfish sadness as we will have to carry on without her.”
Other teachers share Ms. Johns’ sentiments about Ms. Ibasco’s departure and will miss her presence around the school.
“May has been the heart of the guidance department for many years,” said Mrs. Sheila Heggood, English Department chairperson. “While I wish her all the best in her new position, Stanton’s halls will seem dimmer without her. I am going to miss seeing her face and hearing her laughter.”
As a helpful figure to those around her, Ms. Ibasco has also affected Stanton’s cultural environment by being the driving force behind the school’s renowned Multicultural Club, an organization dedicated to celebrating the school’s culturally diverse student body. Through the years, students have gained a deep appreciation for her dedication to the club.
Ms. May Ibasco (center) seen with the officers of the Stanton Multicultural Club.
“Behind every single idea that the students have is Ms. Ibasco just nodding her head yes, and letting us go, ” said senior Justice Lofton, Multicultural Club vice president. “I do not think there is anyone else in the world who would allow students to think and express themselves as freely and creatively as Ms. Ibasco has allowed us to do.”
Since taking over as the Multicultural Club’s sponsor, Ms. Ibasco and her student leaders have helped the club prosper in many ways. By producing Stanton’s highly anticipated Multicultural Extravaganza, initiating boba brand fundraising deals, organizing club performances at local feeder schools, and nurturing students into a rich, diverse melting pot of various cultures, her legacy as the sponsor has left a lasting impact on countless Stanton students.
“I hope she knows how much of an impact she has left on us officers, all Multi alumni, all 200 of the current Multi performers, and the rest of the student body for her hard work and kind heart,” said senior Jianna Estioko, Multicultural Club president.
As students and faculty members prepare for a new school year without her, Ms. Ibasco also has fond feelings about Stanton and the people she has worked with for the past 14 years.
“Stanton means family to me,” said Ms. Ibasco. “I wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for the students, faculty, and staff who trusted me enough to share their life with me. As I told Mrs. Majova, it's not really goodbye because you don’t really say “goodbye” to your family.”
Known for her never-ending guidance and collegiality, Ms. Ibasco will be remembered for connecting club members through their distinct similarities, assisting students with their academic needs, and supporting faculty and staff members. While her departure from Stanton is bitter-sweet, the legacy Ms. Ibasco created at Stanton will never be forgotten and is something future generations of students and staff members can look back on.