Get to Know Your Counselor

RUHS Counseling Team Welcome Video

DENISE HOLMES (A-C & Q-Z Seniors, Class of 2024)  joined the Sea Hawks in 2013 after working as a middle school counselor for 6 years and a middle school assistant principal (counseling) for 8 years in Los Angeles.  She earned her Bachelors of Science Degree in Sociology at the University of California, Riverside.  She attended the University of Southern California, where she earned a  Master’s Degree in Social Work and a Pupil Personnel  Services Credential  in School Counseling . 

Contact Information:  [email protected]; 310-798-8665, extension 4043

Hobbies/Interests: Mrs. Holmes enjoys traveling, yoga, and spending time with her family and friends at the beach or skiing during the winter.

 

DEANNA JOHNSTON (D-P Seniors, Class of 2024) joined the Sea Hawk family in 2015.   She comes to us from Arizona where she has taught English, Theater Arts and Speech and Debate for fifteen years; for the last two years, she has served the educational community as a school counselor. She is well versed in college academic planning!  Mrs. Johnston earned her bachelor of fine arts from the University of Arizona and a Masters Degree in School Guidance Counseling from Ottawa University. She has her Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling.

Contact Information:  [email protected]; 310-798-8665, extension 4016

To Schedule an Appointment Click Here:

calendly.com/djohnston-9 

 

Hobbies/Interests: Mrs. Johnston enjoys reading, jogging, hiking and spending time with her husband and three kids. 

IVY LEE KOZAKI (A-K Juniors, Class of 2025) joined the Sea Hawks in 2019, and prior to RUHS, she worked as a high school counselor in the Bay Area.  She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Economics & Policy at UC Berkeley and received her Master’s in Counseling at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.  She finds true joy in working with and for young people!

Contact Information: [email protected]; 310-798-8665, extension 4029

 

Hobbies/interests: Loves good food, spending time with family and friends, and exploring the outdoors/new places.

 

ASHLEY MACDONALD (L-Z Juniors, Class of 2025) joined the Sea Hawk family in 2021 after working as a middle school counselor at Adams and Parras Middle Schools for five years. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communications with a minor in Spanish from UC Santa Barbara and her MA in Education & Human Development with an emphasis in School Counseling from The George Washington University. Mrs. MacDonald also has her college counseling certificate and a Pupil Personnel Service Credential in School Counseling.

Contact Information: [email protected]; 310-798-8665, extension 4026

 

CECILIA PHO (A-K Sophomores, Class of 2026) joined the Sea Hawk family in 2022. Prior to joining RUHS, she provided counseling services at Parras and Adams Middle School. She earned her bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of San Diego and her master's degree and Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling from CSU Long Beach. Ms. Pho also earned a graduate certificate in Applied Disability Studies from CSU Long Beach.

Contact Information:  [email protected]; 310-798-8665, extension 4021

Hobbies/Interests: Ms. Pho enjoys hiking, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends. Favorite Quote: "May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears." - Nelson Mandela

ASHLEY AHN (L-Z Sophomores, Class of 2026) joined the Sea Hawks in 2022 and is ecstatic to be part of the RUHS family. Prior to working at RUHS Ms. Ahn worked as a high school Special Education teacher in Brooklyn, NY. She earned her Bachelor's Degree at New York University, her Master's in Adolescence Inclusive Education at Long Island University, and her Master's in School Counseling at Brooklyn College. 

Contact Information: [email protected]; 310-798-8665, extension 4015

Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, reading, trying new food, and spending time with her family and friends!

 

EVA ZISS-PATTON (A-K Freshmen, Class of 2027) joined the Sea Hawk family in 2022 after working in many roles, including as a high school counselor, with Torrance USD. She earned her Bachelors of Arts Degree in Philosophy at the University of California, Riverside. She attended the University of Southern California, where she earned a Masters of Education and a Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling. She is passionate about serving students and families within this community. 

Contact Information:  [email protected]; 310-798-8665, extension 4012

Hobbies/Interests: She enjoys nice hotels, good food, crafting and spending time with her family and friends. 

AROND SCHONBERG (L-Z Freshmen, Class of 2027) attended Pacific Lutheran University and Western Washington University, earning a Bachelors Degree in Psychology.  He has worked as an advocate for the homeless community as a social worker for 11 years.  While working as a social worker, he earned a Masters Degree in Counseling with a Pupil Personnel Services Credential from CSU Long Beach.  Mr. Schonberg joined the school counseling team at RUHS in 2001.

Contact Information:  [email protected]; 310-798-8665, extension 4014

Favorite Quote:  "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."  Benjamin Franklin

 

MELISSA COTA (Academic Counselor) joined the Sea Hawk Family in 2022 after working as a substitute teacher and elementary school counselor for Corona-Norco Unified School District. She earned a bachelor's degree in Sociology from Azusa Pacific University and a master's degree in Educational School Counseling from University of Southern California. Her philosophical counseling approach is grounded in authenticity, logic, empathy and transparency in addition to the service of others, multicultural values and beliefs. Her theoretical approach is influenced by experts like Alfred Adler and like him, she turns her theoretical approach into therapy-like counseling sessions. Counseling sessions that will serve as a helping relationship in which the primary focus is on the well-being of the student as a whole.

Contact Information: [email protected]; 310-798-8665

Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, reading, boxing, and spending time with friends and families. 

11th and 12th Grade College & Career Resource Counselors in "The Nest"  

 

CRISTINA BISHOP (L-Z) I am so excited to be back at RUHS as a College/Career Counselor in the Nest! A former Sea Hawk myself (Class of 2009), I went to El Camino College and transferred to UCLA where I received my Bachelors in Sociology. I returned to RUHS working as an AVID Tutor and that is where my passion for school counseling blossomed. From there, I received a Masters in Counseling at University of San Diego. For the past few years, I have worked as a counselor for high school international students helping them prepare and be competitive applicants for university in the U.S. 

In my free time, I love hanging out with my husband, my 2 dogs, going to pilates, and enjoying the sunshine.

 

Contact Information:  [email protected]; 310-798-8665, extension 4037

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mental Health & Wellness Counselor