Meet Our School Counselors
Here at Central, our School Counselors start with an incoming Freshman class and remain their counselors all through their time in high school. This allows our students to have a school counselor who knows them and has built a relationship with them as they move along their high school journey. This is just another reason why #LifeIsBetterInBearCountry!
Ruth Owen
AICE & AP Coordinator and Department Chair and Co-School Counselor for the Class of 2024 Cohort
Mrs. Ruth Owen is the Guidance Department Chair and the AICE & AP Coordinator. Mrs. Owen has a B.A. in Psychology from St. Andrews College and a M.A.in Counselor Education from USF. She has worked for Hernando County Schools since 1998 as a Elementary School Counselor, a Behavior Analyst with ESE and a High School Counselor. Prior to that time she worked in child welfare, economic assistance and community mental health. Mrs. Owen has been at Central High School since 2003 as a School Counselor. She also coached coed cheerleading here for five years. It is very important to Mrs. Owen that all student are able to feel safe and cared for at Central as well as receiving a quality education. She is especially proud of the Cambridge AICE program as it allows all students to earn college credits and scholarship money while challenging themselves and developing problem solving and critical thinking skills.
Ruth Owen
Holly Becker
School Counselor for the Class of 2026 Cohort
Ms. Becker grew up in Schenectady, NY with her older brother. She earned her Associate's degree from Schenectady County Community College and her Bachelor's degree from The College of St Rose in Albany, NY where she majored in English and minored in Elementary Education. Finally, she earned her Master's Degree in School Counseling from Capella University. Ms. Becker moved to Florida in 1999 and taught Middle School before becoming a School Counselor. In her spare time she enjoys reading, traveling (especially to England) and spending time with family, including her dog, cats, and friends.
Holly Becker
David McDuffie
School Counselor for the Class of 2027 Cohort
Mr. McDuffie graduated high school just outside of Los Angeles, where he grew up. After high school he moved to Delaware where he ran his own construction company for ten years. After construction, he decided to become a Clinical Therapist which led him into school counseling. Mr. McDuffie earned his Master's degree in School Counseling from Seton Hall. He has been a school counselor for five years.
David McDuffie
Co-School Counselor for the Class of 2024 Cohort
Bio Coming Soon!
School Counselor Image Coming Soon
School Counselor for the Class of 2025 Cohort
Bio coming soon!
School Counselor Image Coming Soon!