For decades, March has represented the empowerment and recognition of women everywhere. Women’s History Month started in the 1980s and was periodically adopted around the U.S. from then. Since 1995, each president has issued an annual proclamation designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” In honor of 2025’s Women’s History Month, here are a couple of prominent examples of women’s leadership here at San Dimas High School!
Ms. Valencia, a San Dimas High School Spanish 3, AP Spanish, and Avid 11 Teacher, is a valuable staff member to the campus. Ms. Valencia started working at San Dimas High School in 2021 and has been a prominent teacher at San Dimas since. As an Avid teacher, Valencia has proved how important it is to empower students in their higher education. For Valencia, teaching means “encouraging students to pursue their dreams and to be involved in their communities while being lifelong learners.”
Outside of teaching, Valencia is an Advisor for the Spanish Honor Society and an active volunteer at the Foothill Family Shelter, serving vulnerable women and children around the area. To Valencia, being a woman “isn’t just fitting into a stereotypical mold. It’s about learning who you are and embracing it, identifying your strengths, and making a difference in society.”
A woman who inspires Valencia is her mother because of her profound resilience. When her mother was only in 10th grade, she dropped out to take care of her eight younger siblings. Despite the immense responsibility she carried, she still managed to persevere and got her GED to ultimately become an elementary school teacher, where she served as a leader for 27 years. A piece of advice from Valencia for young girls is that “As a young woman, you have the strength to break barriers, the wisdom to shape the future, and the voice to inspire change. Never let anyone tell you that you are less than extraordinary.”
Another impactful Avid teacher on campus is Mrs. Ruiz. Mrs. Ruiz teaches Avid 12, AP Literature, and English 11th at San Dimas High School. Mrs. Ruiz has been teaching at San Dimas High School since 2017 and has done amazing things for the campus since! Ruiz exclaims that “teaching is one of the most underrated positions in the world because every kid needs teachers. Teaching gets taken for granted a lot, and expectations have changed a lot.” Ruiz’s passion for teaching is profound and is further showcased through her position as the school’s English department chair. Outside of San Dimas High School, Ruiz builds curriculum for the district and is a mother of soon-to-be two!
To Ruiz, being a woman means being able to do everything all at the same time. “The expectations from every angle, a mom, a professional, a wife; all these roles we play that we have to do at the same time with 100% effort.” This is such a prominent idea that shows just how impactful and powerful women are. A woman who inspires Ruiz is her mother. “Because she does everything with grace and never complains. She is very giving of herself and her own time and always puts everyone before herself.” Lastly, words of inspiration from Ruiz are to“surround yourself with a solid community because the more positive women you have in your life, the easier everything else will become.”
An additional prominent teacher on campus is Mrs. Ruvalcaba. Ruvalcaba is a Spanish 1 and 2 teacher and has been teaching at San Dimas High School since 2022. For Ruvalcaba, teaching means “Encouraging and helping students to become a better version of themself.” Outside of the classroom, Rulvacaba is a prominent community leader, teaching English to adults twice a week and tutoring children from her neighborhood.
In the city of Ontario, Ruvalcaba teaches adult English twice a week to a predominantly Hispanic community. Ruvalcaba explained that there is a fulfilling connection to her parents’ feelings since her parents were once Spanish speakers learning English. On top of that, Ruvalcaba tutors children from her community through a neighborhood dual immersion program. And also volunteers with her city for an initiative to ride bikes more often in her city!
For Ruvalcaba, being a woman means “Everything you know, a mother, a daughter, a sister, and granddaughters. It’s the privilege of being a part of a sisterhood. Societies that share and help each other thrive.” Ruvalcaba exclaims that “it takes a village to raise children, to be a good friend, and to be a good mentor.”
A woman who inspires Ruvalcaba is her mother.“She imparted a hard work ethic that showed me if you work hard enough you’ll succeed.” Ruvalcaba expressed. Lastly, a piece of advice from Rulvacaba to young girls is to not compare themselves. “Don’t compare yourself, but rather seek inspiration and encouragement. Be proud of who you are and where you come from. Keep moving forward always.”
San Dimas High School includes many impactful women and staff members who come together to make the school a better place. Crystal Alvarenga serves as an on-campus social worker who is constantly supporting students from all around the district. Alvarenga started working at San Dimas in 2021, supporting foster and homeless students with various needs. Alvarenga also works with Gladstone, Shull, Allen, and Lone Hill while guiding interns as well. In the community, Alvarenga has worked with various agencies to further provide resources for students to ensure nothing limits a student’s ability to learn.
To Alvarenga, being a woman means “wearing many hats and not limiting ourselves.” A woman who inspires Alvarenga is her mother. Alvarenga chose her mother “because I always wanted to make her proud and do better. Her brother and herself were first generation to attend college. So she always took advantage of opportunities she didn’t have.” Lastly, for her words of inspiration, Alvarenga says to “not take no for an answer, if there is something you want to do just keep moving forward.”
Overall, the campus is filled with many impactful women who are making a difference both on campus and in the community. Each staff member truly focuses on helping the students on campus and improving the quality of community life. These women are undoubtedly amazing, so make sure to celebrate them and all the women in your life this month! And also be sure to contribute to empowering women everywhere, every day!
