LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Socorro Ruiz was nominated by Michelle Bell, the parent of a student.

After Bell's daughter and her teammates experienced a personal tragedy, Bell emailed Ms. Ruiz and asked if her daughter could see one of the grief counselors that the school was providing. Ms. Ruiz emailed back informing her that she had the opportunity to personally meet with Amanda. That was the day Amanda met her amazing mentor.

When Ms. Ruiz found out that Amanda was taking a German class at the local college over the summer, she connected her with a German exchange student who recently arrived in town. Amanda had someone to speak German with, and the student had a new friend to help them get acclimated to the school and town. Ms. Ruiz also connected Amanda with an internship opportunity.

"Over the next two years, Amanda would meet with Ms. Ruiz to discuss her classes, college, music, running…anything," Bell said. "She would come home from school and tell me that they had met. When I asked why, Amanda would say it was 'just because she wanted to talk to her.' Knowing your child has an adult at school who they can go to when they need to talk is priceless."

With five weeks left of school during Amanda’s junior year, she fell ill and needed to be hospitalized. Ms. Ruiz called Bell within the first few days to see how Amanda was doing.

"That was the first time I had actually spoken to her because all of our communication had been through email," Bell said. "I knew how much she meant to Amanda, but little did I know how much she would mean to me. During our conversation, she consoled me as I cried, validated my feelings, reduced my fears and gave me advice on how to work with the medical team, whom we still had not met. When I got off the phone with her, I went straight to the nurse's station and asked to speak with my daughter's charge nurse. I had absolutely no idea what a charge nurse did, but that’s what Ms. Ruiz told me to do. Within 30 minutes, we had Amanda’s medical team in her room."

Amanda spent three weeks at the children’s hospital and another nine weeks in a partial hospitalization program. She finished off the school year in the home hospital program. Ms. Ruiz worked with each teacher while always keeping Amanda’s privacy in mind. Two weeks into Amanda’s hospital stay, she asked if Bell would meet with her to discuss the option of her graduating a year early. Amanda only needed two more classes and was hopeful that it could be worked out.

"I was thrilled to finally meet Ms. Ruiz in person," Bell said. "The first thing she wanted to know was what Amanda’s motivation was and how did we, as parents, feel about it. After that conversation, I sat back and watched Ms. Ruiz work magic. She picked up the phone and called three different people. We reviewed the classes that were needed and summer school options. I left her office an hour later with Amanda enrolled in the summer AARC program. We also received step by step instructions on completing the matriculation process at our local junior college, a transfer counselor referral, and instructions on how to complete FAFSA and open a CCC account."

"Her professionalism is so greatly appreciated," Bell said. "This would not have happened if she did not have such strong relationships with the education teams at both the high school and junior college. I look at the impact Ms. Ruiz has had on one student and one family. I cannot begin to imagine how many other lives have been enriched by this incredible woman. Amanda is 16 years old, has her high school diploma and will be attending the junior college starting in August. Without a doubt, this could not have happened without this amazing high school counselor."