At MACES, students celebrate Women’s History Month in March to honor the achievements and struggles of women throughout history, this can be globally or within their own communities. MACES students take time to recognize the women who inspire and support them every day because it highlights the voices of women who may be overlooked. For some, that inspiration comes from teachers who encourage them to grow academically. For others, it comes from mothers who guide them through life. Students at MACES shared stories about the women who have made an impact on their lives and school community.
For freshman Bella Rojas, one of those inspiring figures is Spanish teacher Mrs. Barrios. Sharing her teacher’s encouragement pushed her beyond her comfort zone, reflecting on that experience she explains how this support gave her the confidence to take risks. “She made me believe and feel confident enough to take a class that I would have never taken if it wasn’t for her,” Rojas said. That the encouragement she received helped her feel more confident both academically and emotionally. When Rojas transferred into Barrios’s class, she said the teacher immediately created an environment that helped her feel comfortable. “She made me feel very welcomed when I got moved to her class,” Rojas said. “She gave me the confidence to go up and share stuff in front of the class and also gave me advice on what classes to take.”
Rojas says teachers like Barrios make a meaningful difference in the school community by creating spaces where students feel safe and supported. “Safe, welcomed, and a place where they can go when they need someone to talk to,” Rojas said. But teachers are not the only women shaping students’ lives. Rojas also took the opportunity to recognize her mother, Laura Flores, who she says has been one of her biggest supporters.
“The qualities that my mom has that make me admire her are that she’s hardworking, loving, and caring,” Rojas said. Rojas recalls a moment when her mother helped her find the courage to join the Youth and Government program, even when she felt unsure.
According to Rojas, her mother’s encouragement has taught her one important lesson that continues to guide her, never give up. “She pushes me to do things I feel like I can’t do,” Rojas said. “But then I end up doing them and thanking her afterward.”
Senior Aaden Arrieta also highlighted the influence of his mother, Coretta Cortez, who is also actively involved in the school community especially supporting the football team. “She’s basically like the team mom,” Arrieta said. “She helps set up fundraisers and makes sure we have the things we need.”
“She inspires me every day, I never hear her complaining when she’s doing something. She’s very humble and I’ve never seen her act like she’s better than someone,” Arrieta said. Her kindness and positivity have also influenced the people around her, including Arrieta’s friends and teammates.
According to Arrieta, his mom is always one of the first parents to step up when the team or the school needs support. Whether it is organizing events, donating supplies, or helping with class activities, she is constantly involved.
What stands out most about his mother is her kindness and willingness to help others. “She’s always willing to help someone no matter what,” Arrieta said. “She treats everyone respectfully and has a very positive impact on people.” He says one lesson his mother taught him is to avoid judging others without understanding their experiences. “You never know what someone is going through,” Arrieta adds.
For him, recognizing women like his mother during Women’s History Month is important because many of their contributions often go unnoticed. “They contribute a lot, not only to society but to people’s personal lives. People like that need to be recognized because the more people like that there are, the better the world can be,” Arrieta explains.
Senior Ailanie Zendejas also wanted to recognize the impact of her mother, Gladys Zendejas, who she says has played a huge role in shaping the person she is today. “Apart from being my mom, she’s truly one of my best friends,” Zendejas said. “She’s someone I can always confide in and who gives the best advice.”
One of Zendejas’s earliest memories of her mother’s support goes back to when she was young learning English. Although her family spoke Spanish at home, Zendejas became interested in English while watching children’s shows. Her mother noticed that she was repeating English words from the show and decided to help her learn, even though she did not speak the language herself. “Even though she couldn’t understand English, she learned about sight words and started making flashcards for me.” Zendejas said her mother practiced with her daily and helped her develop strong pronunciation and reading skills.
One lesson her mother taught her is to value meaningful relationships over popularity. “She taught me that the quality of friendships will always outweigh the quantity,” Zendejas said. “If my circle is small, it’s probably for the best.”
For Zendejas, recognizing women like her mother during Women’s History Month is about honoring the sacrifices many parents make to give their children better opportunities. “Recognizing women like her means recognizing that hard work isn’t defined by a degree,” Zendejas said. “It’s defined by the sweat and effort people put into what they do.”
Meanwhile, junior Damian Cervantes also recognized a teacher who has made a difference in his school experience, Biology teacher Mrs. Martinez. Cervantes says her teaching style helps create a positive classroom atmosphere that encourages students to participate. “Something unique about her teaching style is the hands-on activities,” Cervantes said. “They’re not really difficult, which makes them fun.”
Cervantes added that Martinez’s positive attitude makes students feel comfortable in the classroom. “You can joke around with her and she’s always positive,” Cervantes said.
Whether it is a teacher who inspires confidence or a mother who leads through kindness and service, MACES students say the women in their lives deserve recognition, expressing their feelings many different ways like Zendejas who thanks her mother, “Gracias ama por apoyarme en todo lo que hago y por siempre creer en mí, te quiero mucho,” a message that reflects the gratitude and cultural pride many MACES students feel. During Women’s History Month, these stories highlight how everyday acts of support, encouragement, and leadership can leave a lasting impact on the school community.
