Strong women on campus serve as examples for teens
By GUADALUPE ENRIQUEZ
The Tower
Women’s History Month has been celebrated every March since 1987 to honor the contributions that women have made in the history of the United States.
The Tower decided to highlight a few of the many strong, trailblazing women on the Manteca High campus.
Megan Peterson, interim principal
Peterson is currently the only female high school principal in the Manteca Unified School District. She wants to set a good example to her high school-aged daughter, just like her mother did for her. Peterson’s mother has showed her that being a woman should never be an obstacle to following your dreams, setting goals and striving for excellence.
“I absolutely love demonstrating to all the young women on campus that we can sit in leadership positions, make a profound impact and be successful,” she said. “I believe we need to see more women in positions of leadership all across our country – not just in education.”
Sarah Haskett, English teacher
Haskett is well known and loved among the student body. She is an advocate for LGBT+ community, students of color, and young girls on campus, and hopes to make an impact on all students but specifically the female students. She has created a space where students can go without being judged. Haskett also created the Women’s Studies class eight years ago. The most impactful woman in her life would be her mother, also an English teacher and writer. Through her, Haskett saw that she could be all things: feminine, masculine, emotional, stoic, weak, and strong.
“I am surrounded by incredible women on this campus – both students staff members,” she said. “And they are such an inspiring group that I would be remiss if I didn’t include the fact that every day I get to teach with and for this group of women is blessed.”
Jiana Boudreaux, art teacher
Boudreaux ran a clothing business before becoming a teacher. She made every design, from the development to the production, and sometimes even handled the delivery. Boudreaux struggled a lot in a male-dominated industry, sacrificing a lot of free time and even special events for her business to succeed. The most impactful woman in her life would be her grandmother, who passed away at the age of 96. Her grandmother was an artist who taught Boudreaux so much in art and life.
“I am CHANGE, regardless of my gender,” she said. “I am in a constant state of growth and evolution with each day and each experience life brings me. Change is inevitable and I will meet it, always, with an open mind and heart. That helped me to prepare for life as a teacher in this present moment.”
Andrea Hiatt, PE teacher
Hiatt is an MHS graduate from the class of 1993 who played sports her entire life. She played basketball and softball in high school and basketball in college. Hiatt has been a teacher/coach on this campus for the last 22 years. Coaching varsity girls basketball, varsity softball, varsity girls golf, and cross country, sports have been an integral part of her life. The most impactful woman in her life is her former PE teacher/coach – coach Martha Dias – who is the reason she became passionate about PE and sports. Coach Dias was tough and structured, but also created a positive, supportive environment for Hiatt during her high school years.
“Lucky for me, I am surrounded by male coaches that vale the importance of female athletics and training,” she said. “The other male coaches and students don’t make myself – or my girls feel inferior. Instead, we celebrate the successes of ALL our students in PE. We have worked hard to create an equitable environment in the PE Department.”
Fatima Ridoloso, Spanish teacher
A proud Hispanic, Ridoloso advocates and supports the Spanish-speaking students. When she began working in education, she noticed the need of representation for the Hispanic and Latino community. The most impactful woman in her life is all of the women in her life: her mother, cousins, friends, and peers. She respects their determination, resilience, and dedication to what they believe.
“Being a Latina woman at Manteca High means a lot of things, but the most important is that I can represent my culture and give the Latino community in Manteca High School a voice,” she said.
Heather Nolan, Ag teacher
Nolan is a driving force in Agriculture and FFA here on the MHS campus, while also running her own business on the side. Although she has never considered herself as a driving force, her main goal has always been to make a difference and help students achieve some level of success in whatever way success looks like them.
Nolan has been a trailblazer in the world of agriculture. She prides herself on doing things out of the norm, especially when people think she can’t. Her mother has been the most impactful woman in her life. She taught Nolan to push through adversities and become an independent person.
“Above all, I just want to be a better version of myself every day,” Nolan said. “Whether that is in my classroom as a teacher, a mom, or as a woman who wants to show people, they can shoot for big crazy goals and dreams.”