Student: Ruth Dominguez
Year in School: Senior
Plans After High School: Ruth plans to attend the University of California, Los Angeles or Santa Barbara and major in Spanish so that she can be a high school Spanish teacher.
GPS Focus: PRIDE & SERVICE
What Makes Ruth #BulldogSTRONG: One of the quintessential necessities that all high school students should have is a yearbook. In a day in age where cell phones and access to screens seem to dominate the attention of teenagers, a yearbook is essential. It captures memories frozen in time, events that happened, faces that change inevitably, and memories that may only be remembered again by opening the cover. The common observer can't see the same things while scrolling through social media, and that is why a yearbook is actually a necessity. For Senior and Graphic Design Editor for the 2021-2022 Golden Age Yearbook Ruth Dominguez, the mission of creating a visibly appealing yearbook that is essential for all students at Golden Valley High School has been her focus throughout the year. Ruth decided to join yearbook this school year because she wanted to be part of creating a tangible object that displays memories that students can hold on to long after their years of being a Bulldog. In her role as Graphic Design Editor, Ruth’s responsibility is making sure each spread is visually appealing and that every step in the design process is complete. Ruth’s vision was to reflect the creative individuality of the students at GVHS as the theme and title of the yearbook indicate - Vividly Us. “We selected this theme because it showcases the individuality of each of our students, and how everyone at Golden Valley stands out and is someone special,” comments Ruth. Memorable for Ruth in creating this year’s Golden Age is the bond she developed with her classmates in creating the yearbook. From the stress of meeting deadlines to the pleasure of seeing each spread successfully completed, Ruth cherishes the collective effort in making the yearbook special. “While working on the yearbook, the most valuable lessons I have learned are that in order to create something great, you need a great team,” Ruth humbly states, “It is important to have a team who supports you and is there for you at every turn.”
In addition to the memories that she hoped to create as part of the yearbook staff, Ruth has played a crucial role in shaping campus culture from role as ASB Historian. For Ruth, this year was her first year in student leadership and joined because she saw an opportunity to be involved with school events, providing her chances to make school a little more enjoyable for everyone. Participation for all students at GVHS has been a major focus for Ruth from her leadership position because she wants everyone to feel like they have a space on campus where they belong. “My goal as a student leader is to inspire as much participation as I can,” passionately expresses Ruth, “I really want every student to feel comfortable and be included.” In addition to her extremely busy schedule as a student leader and yearbook design editor, Ruth has further demonstrated impressive leadership skills at GVHS through her academic pursuits. In her four years at GVHS, Ruth has earned an eye popping 4.47 GPA while being enrolled in GATE, AP, and Honors courses. Ruth has aspirations of attending UCLA or UCSB to major in Spanish where she hopes to one day become a high school Spanish teacher. For Ruth, her Senior year has shown her that she is a capable leader because of her commitment to making memories for others. “When I graduate from Golden Valley, I want to be remembered as a dedicated leader that sought to help others to the best of my abilities.” For her commitment to creating meaningful memories and experiences for all students at GVHS as Graphic Design Editor for the Golden Age Yearbook and as ASB Historian, Ruth Dominguez is #BulldogSTRONG.
What #BulldogSTRONG Means to Ruth: "To me, #BulldogSTRONG means taking pride in being a student at Golden Valley, always being there to lend a helping hand, and being willing to improve personally and academically.”
What Teachers and Staff Think of Ruth:
“Ruth is a hard working member of the Leadership program. She helps out wherever she is needed, is kind to her fellow students, and is just a very intelligent and pleasant person to be around. As she is a senior, we will very much miss her in the Leadership program next year.” Valerie Black, Activities Director and Cheer Adviser, Golden Valley High School
“Ruth is honest, dependable, and incredibly hard working. She has a positive outlook on life, and works very hard at staying active in clubs and keeping up with her school work. Ruth has been an active member of our schools’ Association Student Body as historian, spirit club, and leadership class student. Ruth will be a first-generation college student and her outlook in life is to not be afraid to make mistakes because you learn from them, and this allows for self-growth. Academically speaking, Ruth has excelled in her coursework. She has maintained a grade point average of 4.4 while completing Honors and Advanced Placement classes throughout her high school career.” Vanessa Torres, Counselor, Golden Valley High School
"Through her work as design editor for Yearbook, Ruth has shown she is #BulldogSTRONG. She is hardworking and does not let the pressures of meeting deadlines get to her. She gets her work done and puts in the extra time and effort needed to make the best yearbook. As a true leader, she guides and aids her classmates in Yearbook to achieve their best. As if being an editor were not enough, Ruth is taking AP Literature, which has added pressure on her school performance. Yet, she is as dedicated to this class as she is to Yearbook. Positive attitude, determined, leader, responsible... Ruth is #BulldogSTRONG!” Alejandra Soto, Long Term Substitute English and Yearbook Teacher, Golden Valley High School
“Although I have known Ruth since her first day at GVHS, I have been her teacher for only two years. From the first day I met her, she exuded confidence, sincerity, and courtesy. Time has not diminished these qualities in Ruth, rather it has made them more patient, more evident but always authentic. Ruth is a very good student and a great person. Her presence in my classes, both virtual and in person, has added to the quality of my instruction and to the ambiance of the cohort. Gracias Ruthi. Te agradezco tu sinceridad y siempre valoraré tu dedicación. ¡El tiempo es fugaz!” Gabriel Flores, AP Spanish Teacher, Golden Valley High School
“Ruth is a great compliment to any group. She is very sharp and extremely quick witted. I am fortunate to have her as one of my students as she exemplifies what it means to be #BulldogSTRONG!” Aaron Wright, Government and Economics Teacher, Golden Valley High School
“Ruth is an exemplary student. She has intellectual curiosity that pushes her to go above and beyond in her studies. I always appreciated her ability to work well with others, share her opinion, while always being accepting of the views of others.” Terri Richmond, Social Studies Department Chair, Golden Valley High School
“As a student in AP Language and Composition during the 2020-2021 school year, Ruth did an admirable job staying on top of her responsibilities and demonstrating what it means to be #BulldogSTRONG! She consistently put in the effort needed to excel in the class and experience notable growth as a critical reader and writer over the course of the school year. Ruth is resilient, focused, and dedicated to her success both inside and outside the classroom. She will undoubtedly continue to excel in her future educational and personal endeavors.” Karen Bastain, AP Language and Composition Teacher, Golden Valley High School