Alpine Bank Scholar: Judith Ruelas

Alpine Bank Scholarships are helping 17 graduates of Western Slope high schools attend Colorado Mountain College next fall. We’ve been featuring all 17 scholarship recipients in eNews the past three weeks. Today’s Alpine Bank Scholar spotlight features Judith Ruelas, a graduate of Roaring Fork High School.

Judith Ruelas received the 2013 Alpine Bank Latino/Hispanic Scholarship’s merit award. Photo Stefanie Kilts
Judith Ruelas received the 2013 Alpine Bank Latino/Hispanic Scholarship’s merit award. Photo Stefanie Kilts

Roaring Fork scholars seek careers in service

Judith Ruelas, who received the Alpine Bank merit award for her exceptional academic performance in high school, said her ELL teacher’s help when she first moved to Colorado inspired her to strive for a bachelor’s degree in education.

“It was frustrating to have to have someone translate and not be able to express myself when I first arrived here,” she said. “I want to teach kids how to speak and write in English.”

Roaring Fork High School teachers said Ruelas has a natural teaching ability in working with students of different ages and abilities. She tried to teach as much as possible during high school, even using two of her class periods to tutor at Carbondale Middle School.