Corina Arrieta Ruiz, a proud graduate of the class of 1990, was born and raised in Fabens, TX. Corina was Salutatorian of her class and was involved in the Flag Corps, National Honor Society, Yearbook, Spanish Club, Texas Association of Future Educators, and UIL while in high school. Although she is 5’11”, Ms. Ruiz never played volleyball or basketball, but was on the Varsity tennis team. Both Corina’s younger brother and sister (Oscar and Cynthia Arrieta) are also proud Wildcats. She is the daughter of Gene Arrieta and Sylvia Guerrero.

Upon graduation from the University of Texas at El Paso with her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies in 1995, Ms. Ruiz began her career in education as a bilingual/dual language teacher at O’Donnell Elementary. Ms. Ruiz went on to get her Master of Education in 2003 and her Principal Certification in 2006. She continued as an instructional facilitator for 16 years at O’Donnell and has now been the proud principal for 5 years at O’Donnell Intermediate, a TEA “A” Rated campus.

Ms. Ruiz attributes her successes to the many mentors, friends and staff who have truly become family through the common work at O’Donnell and Fabens ISD. She loves her hometown of Fabens as is evident through her work. She takes pride in seeing students she taught become parents and now even grandparents of students currently on her campus.

Ms. Ruiz’s own two children, Oscar and Isabella Ruiz, are also proud Wildcats. In her spare time, she likes to read, travel and watch sporting events. Ms. Ruiz says that her greatest accomplishment has been being able to honor God with the talents that He has given her by being able to serve her community of Fabens for 29 years and hopes to be able to continue to do so for a few more years.