Excerpts from SMJUHSD Press Release 3-14-17 / Kenny Klein, Public Information Officer

Two SMJUHSD students may soon pick up Massachusetts accents after receiving acceptance letters from Harvard!
The students are Erik Ruiz of Pioneer Valley High School and Mariana De Leon of Santa Maria High School. They have excelled academically, performed community service and mastered leadership skills inside and outside of the classroom.

Ruiz, who has been accepted on a full-ride scholarship, has a 4.67 grade point average. He’s racked up 258 hours of community service, is a Link Crew Leader and President of the California Scholarship Federation and Key Club.

“I am leaning on attending at this moment, but I am going to wait and see what happens,’’ Ruiz said. “Regardless, it’s a very humbling accomplishment to be lucky enough to be accepted. I believe this accomplishment validates the struggle my parents, grandparents, and community have made. It’s not only my goal but everyone else’s to make sure the sacrifices people have made for us pay off.’’
Principal Shanda Herrera described Ruiz as: “a model student who is kind and well-liked by his classmates. We are so proud to have Erik as one of this year’s 2017 graduates.’’

Some notable Harvard graduates are Barack Obama, John F. Kennedy and Bill Gates.