Dr. Gilberto & Maria Ruiz Scholarship
Dr. Gilberto Ruiz was born in a rural village in Mexico. At a young age, he and his family moved to the United States. He was raised in Southern California. Maria Rodriguez is a homegrown small town girl who was raised in Woodlake, CA. Both were first generation college students who went off to study at the University of California Los Angeles where they met.
Dr. Ruiz and Maria graduated from UCLA and completed their degrees in Medicine and Nursing, respectively. After completing their educational degrees and beginning their careers, they married and returned to Maria’s hometown of Woodlake where they started a family before finally settling in Las Vegas, Nevada. They now have 4 children: Gilberto Jr., Viviana, Nadia and Karina.
Maria is a proud alumna of the Woodlake High School Class of 1987. Although she and her family have moved out of the state, they remain very connected with her roots and community. Her family spends their time off with family and friends at their home in Woodlake. They enjoy the annual rodeo, parades and community cultural celebrations.
The Ruiz family continues to give back to their community and are strong supporters of the educational goals and aspirations of young students seeking a career in Science and Medicine.
Criteria: Applicant must be actively pursuing a college degree related to Health Care of the Life Sciences.
Selected By: Ruiz Family and WHS Foundation Scholarship Committee
