We all know at least one woman in our lives who has made an impact on people’s lives, her community, maybe even your own. Granite Hills High School has some of the most remarkable, accomplished, and inspiring women. Many of our inspiring lady Grizzlies are counselors, teachers, secretaries, and students whose involvement on campus never goes unnoticed. In honor of International Women’s Day, which just passed on March 8, we take a look at some inspiring figures on the Granite Hills High School campus.
Mrs. Ruiz
Mariah Ruiz is our beloved CODE Math 1 and 2 teacher and CSF advisor at Granite Hills. The young teacher started teaching at Granite Hills in 2022. On campus, Ruiz is an advocate for women who want to venture into STEM fields or similar interests because of her involvement in the CODE Pathway at Granite Hills.
Inside Ruiz’s classroom, she hopes to inspire young mathematicians. The same way Ruiz looked up to her high school math teacher, Ms. Gil, she hopes to impact students not only through her teaching but also by uplifting each student in her classroom. As an educator, Mrs. Ruiz prioritizes building up her classroom as a safe space for our Grizzlies.
“Achieve all your dreams, don’t ever be afraid to make mistakes or feel judged.”
Ms. Alghonaym
Ms. Alghonaym is a senior and a freshman English teacher on our campus, while also being our Granite Hills Z-club advisor. Most students refer to Ms. Alghonaym as Ms. A on campus. Ms. A is a UC Davis alumna majoring in English literature. However, before Ms. A decided she wanted to study literature, she considered becoming a pediatrician.
Young Alghonaym always wanted to make a difference in her community, so eventually she found herself becoming a teacher. Similar to Mrs. Ruiz, Ms. A started working at Granite Hills in 2022. Since Ms. A started working at Granite Hills four years ago, she’s seen firsthand our Granite Hills Class of 2026 grow throughout these past four years. Alghonaym advocates for not just young women but all her students to reach their goals and never settle for less.
“Always keep your standards high, you’ll find someone who reaches your standards, so never settle.”
Ms. Alvarado
Monique Alvarado is our ACE, CODE, and special education secretary at Granite Hills. Ms. Alvarado studied Sociology at the University of California, Northridge because of her interests in learning about people, history, and working with the community. Alvarado uses her studies in Sociology in her work at Granite Hills, as she is extremely involved in our CODE and ACE Pathway students’ success.
In college, as a young woman, Alvarado was influenced by her female professors to one day become a professor herself, pushing herself into new, unfamiliar spaces. While attending the University of California, Northridge, Alvarado’s sociology professors inspired her to succeed and use her voice in male-dominated spaces.
Her journey isn’t quite finished yet; she is currently working towards a master’s degree. One day, Alavarado will be leading seminars full of young women who also aspire to study social change and people.
“Don’t compare yourself to others and their achievements; keep pursuing your goals.”
Careli Carrasco
CollectingContentOne student on campus more than deserving of recognition is AVID ambassador, volleyball, and wrestling senior Careli Carrasco. Attending Granite Hills Carrasco has created various connections and memories throughout these past four years. In her senior year, Carrasco decided to venture into new spaces, joining the Granite Hills wrestling team.
In wrestling, Carrasco found community within lady wrestlers where she and her teammates unite to help each other and uplift each other. Being involved not only in wrestling but also in other communities on campus has helped this young woman spread her wings. On campus, Carrasco has formed a close bond with senior AVID teacher Ms. Chavez, who’s always been a figure to rely on, accessible to her whenever she needs advice.
Carrasco’s motivation to be successful at Granite Hills is her desire to prove others wrong despite any discouragement she faces from individuals. After graduation, Carrasco is on the path to becoming a doctor in the near future, studying cardiology or neurology. This young woman’s story has just begun. Ultimately, Carrasco is going in the right direction to have a successful future; she is definitely a remarkable woman on campus.
“Don’t let anyone else determine your own future; live your life. No one knows what it’s like to be you.”
Ms. Zarco
Undoubtedly, one of the most important and influential women on our campus, Veronica Zarco, is Granite Hills Dean of Counseling, in charge and responsible for ensuring every Granite Hills student’s needs are met, whether it’s academically, socially, or emotionally. Not only is Ms. Zarco a counselor, but she is also part of our school’s admin team, an essential addition to our staff on campus.
Zarco’s story before Granite Hills is extraordinary, as she attended UCLA, double-majoring in economics and Latin American studies. From there, Ms. Zarco found herself on different paths before working in education; she worked with the non-profit CSET. Eventually, Zarco decided to return to school to get her master’s degree, pursuing counseling.
Over her career, Ms. Zarco has gotten to work with adults, college students, high schoolers, and pre-schoolers. Throughout each phase of her professional career, Zarco has encountered women who mentored her. Today she carries pieces of these women with her every day, getting to be a part of people’s lives and successes.
“Never let anyone get in the way of your goals, don’t let someone make you feel that something is impossible.”
