New staff member Torres joins the MCHS wellness team as the new school counselor

Ava Nicols 

Sports Editor 

New staff member Torres joins the MCHS wellness team as the new school counselor

Nicols Torres transferred from Torrance Unified School District to become a counselor at Mira Costa. She previously worked with elementary, middle, and high school students at North High School as a counselor.

“My favorite age to work with is high school,” Torres said. “I love teenagers and older students, I feel I can relate to the older kids more because I have my own kids in high school. I like to find out what their [her students] passions are, what hobbies they enjoy or sports they play, really just know the student’s story.”

According to Torres, her experience as a teacher is a unique quality that she brings to the Costa counseling team. She has taught grades TK-12th for over 20 years with her core subject being music. After a counselor position opened up at Mira Costa, she began working over the summer to prepare for her new students in the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. 

“My passion is singing as I belong to several local choirs including my alma mater Loyola Marymount University,” Torres said. “I have sung with the LMU choruses and performed in London, Paris, and recently Carnegie Hall in NYC this past June 2021.”

Torres attended LMU as an undergrad, majoring in sociology and minoring in Music with an emphasis on voice. She continued graduate school at LMU earning a Master’s degree in school counseling with a pupil personnel services credential.

“It is exciting being a counselor, and really reinvigorating,” Torres said. “I feel excited to meet all my students and support them, socially and emotionally, and academically. It is a joy and rewarding to be helping others.”

Torres is a mother of five children, including 4 girls and 1 boy. Two are in college, and two are in high school and middle school. Her oldest daughter will be graduating from UC Davis this year, Having her own kids, she has personal experience with high school aged kids and can implement the things she has learned from her experiences to Costa students. 

“I enjoy family time with my kids including traveling and camping and we love our favorite place; Big Sur,” Torres said. “I also love spending time with my two dogs, Charlie Brown and Juno, taking them on hikes and walks.”

According to Torres, the best part about being a counselor is having one-on-one conversations with students. She wants to really get to know her students and offer a wide spectrum of help from providing tutors to stents struggling academically and supporting students having difficulties with their mental health. 

“I love the saying live your story,” Torres said. “I’ve always thought and felt that all students have their own story and until they share their story or find someone they can trust and guide them they will be more successful.”

Mira Costa’s school counseling program divides students among eight counselors, increasing availability to help mustangs across campus. Torres is available to all students, even those outside of her “alpha” which ranges from last names F-HE.

“I want students to feel heard, understood, and supported. I want them to I am their biggest fan and advocate to help them with doing the best they can,” Torres said. “Not only in High School but also gaining important skills, strategies to help with life after high school.”