As Cypress High School started the school year, thousands of students were adjusting to new classes and some fresh faces on campus. One of the latest additions to Cypress High School is Mrs. Lavrov, our new senior counselor.
Although this is Mrs. Lavrov’s first year at Cypress High School, she is far from new to the Anaheim Union High School District. “I grew up locally down the street in Anaheim,” she said. “I’m a graduate of this district, from Magnolia High School.” Not only is she an alumna, but she is also a parent within the district. “I have a thirteen-year-old and a fifteen-year-old in the district, and I live with my husband here.”
Growing up in Anaheim, she remembers watching classmates, even herself, stress about their futures. “I saw a lot of people struggle throughout high school, including myself, in figuring out what I wanted to do and what route I wanted to take,” she said. “I wish I had more guidance than I did. I wanted to go back into a field where I can work directly with students and help them through that process.”
Before coming to Cypress High School, Mrs. Lavrov served at several AUHSD campuses. “I started in this district at Magnolia High School,” she said. “In 2010 the school faced some shortages and had layoffs, and I was part of that.” During that period, she didn’t have a contract and ended up substituting at numerous schools across the district. Mrs. Lavrov viewed the period as a chance to learn from different schools. She later regained her counseling contract, split between Oxford Academy and Lexington Junior High “From there I went to Western,” she added, “and I was at Western for eight years before coming here.”
Despite being new to the Cypress campus, her transition has been pretty smooth. “It’s been good,” she said. “Being a senior counselor to students I haven’t met before since the start of the school year, I’m excited to hurry up and meet everybody. Everyone has been nice and welcoming, and I really appreciate that.”
When asked what she enjoys most about her role, her answer was immediate. “I enjoy working with students,” she said. “That’s the number one thing I enjoy most, whether it’s a difficult conversation or a celebratory one. Students are what get me to work every day.”
Senior Josiah Pace praised Mrs. Lavrov for assisting him with the college application process, especially with the recommendation letters, “Ms. Lavrov helped me a lot, she explained to me how the process of the recommendation worked and responded to my emails really fast.”
With seniors especially, communication is very important. Mrs. Lavrov makes it clear that she wants students to feel comfortable reaching out early and often. “I’m in my office most mornings by 7:45 and here after school,” she said. “I’m also around the 400 buildings during lunchtime.” Though students can stop by in person, she recommends one method above all, “The very best way would be scanning the QR code so I can send you a call slip,” she said.
Mrs. Lavrov is ready to support the Class of 2026, by helping seniors through one of the most important years of their high school experience.
