For the past couple years, Ferndale High School senior Marlenne Barragan-Hernandez has been deeply involved in the school’s Latino-focused student groups. She’s an officer in FHS’ new Latinos In Action class and serves as the president of MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán) Club.

Barragan-Hernandez said that advocating for the local Latino community is very important to her.

After graduating this June, Barragan-Hernandez plans to earn her degree in education. Eventually, Barragan-Hernandez also hopes to open a bakery.

Barragan-Hernandez said there were three women who were very influential in her life. The first is her mother, who has always provided support and “is always making me take the right path.” The other two are FHS staffers: MEChA Club advisor Andrea Tafoya, who has “helped me get out of my bubble,” and Latinos In Action teacher Blanca Mendoza.

“I can always count on (Mendoza) to believe in me,” Barragan-Hernandez said. “She pushes me to bring my ideas to life.”