As a low-income English-learning immigrant, Counselor Virginia Morales juggled many responsibilities during her high school years, including caring for her younger sibling. Inspired by this, Morales discovered her passion for becoming a school counselor and helping others.
“I connected deeply with students in my community,” Morales said in an interview conducted via email. “It was this wonderful experience that set me on my passionate journey to support young adults with such unlimited potential.”
Before starting at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School (DPMHS) in Fall 2025, Morales worked at several other schools. She first became a counselor in the Lakeview Terrace and Sylmar area back in 2007. Then, in 2020, she served as the college counselor at Fairfax High School and three years ago, transferred to Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies (SOCES).
“I transitioned to SOCES to be closer to home and to continue serving the community where I grew up,” Morales said. “Since 1998, I’ve had the privilege of supporting young adults with their academics and college preparation.”
Wanting to join a small yet tight-knit community, Morales set eyes on DPMHS. From supportive staff to friendly students, she knew this was her home.
“I was looking for a home-away-from-home, where the community would be smaller and where I could fit in,” Morales said. “I took a tour and walked around the school and everyone was so nice.”
Morales’ transition to DPMHS has been a smooth one. From being excited to feeling welcomed by the school staff and students, she is ready to tackle the 2025-2026 school year.
“It is rewarding to interact with students with very diverse academic backgrounds,” Morales said. “Communication between the staff is key to creating a supportive school environment for students.”
During the summer, Morales began preparing for the new school year by meeting with former Academic Counselor Martina Torres, who retired at the end of the school year, to start training and learning more about the school and student life. She then met with staff and faculty to engage in team building and preparations for the new school year.
“I tried to familiarize myself with the student community via data (graduation rates, student graduation progress and surfing the school website),” Morales said. “I sat in meetings ready to listen and process.”
As the counselor, Morales hopes to increase the college acceptance rates by empowering students, providing them with sufficient resources and encouraging them to go out of their comfort zones. She plans to achieve this goal by guiding students to find their interests and steering them towards the correct academic path.
“I firmly believe in gently encouraging students just beyond their comfort zones,” Morales said. “I plan to provide personalized guidance that not only helps students meet academic requirements, but also assists them in showcasing their strengths, passions and potential.”
Students have already taken notice of Morales’s hard work and dedication to assisting students. Whether it is helping with class schedules or solely listening, students truly appreciate her commitment.
“She is helpful and overall helps overcome difficulties,” sophomore Brandon Gamez said. “She takes accountability based on what’s best for students and balancing out their schedules.”
Morales plans on supporting her students in various ways. One way is by listening to them when needed and she also intends to guide them both academically and emotionally.
“For me, it’s incredibly fulfilling to be a part of that process: helping students unlock their potential, work through their struggles and ultimately, thrive,” Morales said. “It’s a two-way street: the connection we build shapes my passion and in turn, their progress and success inspire me to keep pushing forward and continuously desiring to imprint as their counselor (and biggest cheerleader).”
