THE TEAM

Prinsesa Alvarez

 My name is Prinsesa Alvarez I am currently a senior attending San Fernando High SchoolMagnet. I am looking forward to going to college and pursue a bachelors degree in kinesiology. Lastly I am very thankful to have such an amazing team and feel honored to be one of the team leaders as it gives me the opportunity to enhance my leadership skills.​

Aracely Chavez

​I’m Aracely Chavez, a senior at SFHS’ Magnet Program. I am in charge of our team’s blog and a part of the Solar Panel team. I plan on attending a four-year university, but I am still undecided on what I want to study.​

Patricia Cruz

My name is Patricia Cruz, and I'm a senior at San Fernando High School Magnet. I am part of the Solar Panel Team, and this is my first year in DIY Girls. After high school, I would like to major in computer
engineering.​

Veronica Gonzalez

My name is Veronica Gonzalez and I'm a senior in the San Fernando High School Magnet Program. I am part of the solar panel in which we plan to incorporate a solar panel into our invention. As for my plans after high school, I intend to attend a 4-year university and major in
mechanical engineering.

America Hernandez

My name is America Hernandez and I am a junior at San Fernando High School. I am so happy to be working with DIY girls and contributing to make a change in our society. I am part of the structures team which is in charge of building the tent. I a
m so excited to see what we are capable of doing.

Paulina Martinez

Hi, my name is Paulina Martinez and I am a senior at San Fernando High School. I enjoy spending time with my family and hanging out my friends. My goal is to attend 4-year university and major in human biology or nursing. My position is the InvenTeam is materials team leader.

Maggie Mejia

I am Maggie Mejia and I am 17 years old. I currently attended San Fernando High School Magnet as a Senior. I will be attending Life Pacific College and studying theology this fall. This is my first year working with DIY Girls and I am so excited to see what is in store for us!​

Daniela Orozco

Hi, my name is Delmy Daniela Orozco and I am currently a senior at San Fernando High School. I will be studying aerospace engineering at Stanford University in the fall. My role on the InvenTeam is structures team leader and financial lead. ​

Kassandra Salazar

My name is Kassandra Salazar and I am a Junior at San Fernando High School enrolled in the Magnet Program. I am part of the materials group for my InvenTeam, and this is my first year in DIY Girls. After high school, my goal is to attend 4-year university and major in aerospace
engineering and become an astronaut.​

Wendy Samayoa

My name is Wendy Samayoa and I'm a senior at San Fernando High School enrolled in the Puente Program. I am part of the solar panel team for my InvenTeam, our goal is to provide lighting, sanitation and a charging port in our tent. After high school I hope to attend a 4 year university and attend graduate school to receive a masters in civil engineering.​

Kenia Shi

My name is Kenia Shi and I'm a Senior at San Fernando High School Magnet. I have always had an interest in engineering so I though joining DIY Girls the perfect opportunity to expand my horizons. When I graduate from High School I would like to pursue a career in Mechanical Engineering.

Paola Valtierra

My name is Paola Valtierra and I’m a Junior at San Fernando High School Magnet. I’m a part of the Materials Team in the DIY Girls. After high school, I’d like to major in Criminology or Law Enforcement and become an FBI Agent because I want to make the world a safe place.​

EDUCATORS

Evelyn Gomez

Evelyn has worked with DIY Girls since August of 2014. As DIY Girls’ Executive Director, Evelyn is responsible for the program success of DIY Girls ensuring seamless team management and development, program delivery, and quality control and evaluation. One of her passions includes learning with students by developing hands-on STEM experiences that allow students to pursue their passions and creatively express themselves while working on real world problems. 
Evelyn has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Aerospace Engineering from MIT and UCLA, respectively, as well as a Master’s in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

​Violet Mardirosian

Violet Mardirosian was born and raised in Tehran, Iran. She studied Mechanical Engineering in Toulouse, France for 1 ½ years before coming to the US in 1980. She studied Mathematics in CSU Stanislaus and obtained her teaching credential from CSU LA 1995, and later received her Masters degree in Mathematics from CSU Northridge. She is National Board Certified Teacher who provides support for new LAUSD teachers. She is also Real Estate Broker off campus. 
Mrs. Mardirosian began teaching 1993 at Sun Valley Middle School where she taught for 3 years. She joined the Magnet family in 1996 and has been teaching there since. She has taught Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Math Analysis, Calculus AB and BC. Her students experience great success on passing the AP Calculus exam. She is the coordinator of the Magnet program.