News | Santa Maria Joint Union High School District

Diana Mendez Ramos’ academic and leadership achievements have earned her community recognition and gifts.

The Santa Maria High School senior was recently honored by Computer Connections, which is sponsored by the Santa Maria Valley Industry Education Council and the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce during a luncheon. Ramos received a desktop computer and a gift card.

Each day after classes, Ramos stays involved in clubs or inside the offices studying until the campus is closed. Then, she heads to the public library to finish her homework and study until that closes before the returns home, a place she shares with her brother, sister, mother and father.

“I walk into the library after tutoring (others) every day because my whole family lives in one room,’’ said Ramos at the podium.

Ramos has a 4.46 GPA and is ranked 4th out of 633 in her class of 2018. Her goal is to be accepted to Cal Tech and study software engineering.

Community service is a passion for Ramos. She’s racked up more than 500 hours with the SMBSD Music and Arts Festival, Strawberry Festival, Toys for Tots, Thrive (food pantry), Salvation Army, United Way, others and tutoring. She’s also found time for school programs and groups that support both non-English speaking and English-speaking parents.

Principal Joe Domingues described his student as “a wonderful young woman and born leader” who is “loyal, trustworthy, resilient, humble, smart, caring and a joy to be around.”

“I’ve told her to keep doing what she is doing and after she graduates from college she will be able to buy a house that will have a room for every one of her family members,’’ Domingues said.

NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY: The Santa Maria Joint Union High School District is committed to ensuring equal, fair, and meaningful access to employment and education services. The SMJUHSD does not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis and/or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics of age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, ethnic group identifications, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital, family or parental status, medical condition, military or veteran status, nationality, national origin, immigration status, political affiliation, pregnancy and related conditions, race, religion, retaliation, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by California state and federal nondiscrimination laws respectively. Not all bases of discrimination will apply to both education services and employment. If you believe you have been subjected to discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying, immediately contact the District’s Discrimination, Equity and Title IX Compliance Officer Mr. Kevin R. Platt at 2560 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93455, (805) 922-4573 or kplatt@smjuhsd.org. You may request a copy of SMJUHSD’s Uniform Complaint Procedures, Non-Discrimination Policies, Sexual Harassment Policies or click here.