Marie's College Expenses
Donation protected
From Mr. & Mrs. Dondi Ruiz
Dearest Relatives & Friends:
Our heartfelt appreciation to our friends and families in Zuni for having initiated this "GoFund Me" support drive intended for our daughter, MARIE.
Marie has been in the United States for the past 10 years, and prior to her moving into a totally opposite, quiet and, peaceful place on Zuni Pueblo Reservation Area in 2013, Marie used to stay in Baltimore City, Maryland where she finished her elementary and middle school years.
Considering the years my daughter had spent in Baltimore where she was doing great in her academics, social involvement, and voluntarily participated in religious undertakings, she really had a hard time adjusting during our first few months in Zuni Pueblo, especially at Zuni High School.
But, amazingly with her personality of being socially flexible and outgoing, MARIE was able to surpass the trials that accompanied our move to the Southwest.
Marie has been very active in her academics, which made her attain some school obligations and gain teachers’ trust even during her freshman year.
In addition to her remarkable academics records, she continued to serve the church by spearheading the formation of a Youth group in our Parish.
Furthermore, she committed to be the lead guitarist in the church choir at St.Anthony Parish since she arrived in Zuni until today.
Marie graduated with flying colors as the High School Class of 2017 valedictorian. She has demonstrated as a good role model to her fellow students with her excellence in fulfilling not only her religious and leadership duties and responsibilities as the Student Council President but also as a ZHS Office Intern.
It is with no doubt and with great pride that we know, as parents, that through Marie’s hard work, commitment to excellence, diligence, and tenacity everything will all lead her to have a brighter future.
However, Marie’s dreams and efforts might all be shattered and wasted. Due to her current immigration status, some scholarship opportunities that she received have been either denied and/or in “frozen" status for this coming semester.
All we want is for our youngest and only daughter to be able to pursue her degree as a mechanical engineering major at the New Mexico Tech - her ticket to a more advance degrees and a successful adult life.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude for all your support to this "GoFund Me" effort in making my daughter's (Marie) dreams become a reality.
To God be the glory! God bless you all.
Dondi and Vangie Ruiz
From Mr. Michael Campos, CA
Marie is my niece. Valedictorian of the Class of 2017 at Zuni High School.
She spent the better part of the last four years living in the Zuni Pueblo while her parents taught in the pueblo's high school.
Marie's mom was among those recruited from the Philippines to teach in the Baltimore Public School system. They are here because we needed their skills to support some of our nation's struggling school systems.
And that's where the good news ends.
The family's applications for permanent residency proved unsuccessful. And with that, the necessary scholarships to fund Marie's first semester in university, withdrawn. This GoFundMe site appeals for support while the family reorganizes its fast dwindling options to remain here or return home.
I reflect on the transactional nature of migration—who needs whom? Whose needs are held in privilege? And whose needs are conveniently diminished in the process? Marie is here—essentially raised in the United States—because her mom was needed. This country needed the skills she possessed.
What obligations do we bear in return?

Dearest Relatives & Friends:
Our heartfelt appreciation to our friends and families in Zuni for having initiated this "GoFund Me" support drive intended for our daughter, MARIE.
Marie has been in the United States for the past 10 years, and prior to her moving into a totally opposite, quiet and, peaceful place on Zuni Pueblo Reservation Area in 2013, Marie used to stay in Baltimore City, Maryland where she finished her elementary and middle school years.
Considering the years my daughter had spent in Baltimore where she was doing great in her academics, social involvement, and voluntarily participated in religious undertakings, she really had a hard time adjusting during our first few months in Zuni Pueblo, especially at Zuni High School.
But, amazingly with her personality of being socially flexible and outgoing, MARIE was able to surpass the trials that accompanied our move to the Southwest.
Marie has been very active in her academics, which made her attain some school obligations and gain teachers’ trust even during her freshman year.
In addition to her remarkable academics records, she continued to serve the church by spearheading the formation of a Youth group in our Parish.
Furthermore, she committed to be the lead guitarist in the church choir at St.Anthony Parish since she arrived in Zuni until today.
Marie graduated with flying colors as the High School Class of 2017 valedictorian. She has demonstrated as a good role model to her fellow students with her excellence in fulfilling not only her religious and leadership duties and responsibilities as the Student Council President but also as a ZHS Office Intern.
It is with no doubt and with great pride that we know, as parents, that through Marie’s hard work, commitment to excellence, diligence, and tenacity everything will all lead her to have a brighter future.
However, Marie’s dreams and efforts might all be shattered and wasted. Due to her current immigration status, some scholarship opportunities that she received have been either denied and/or in “frozen" status for this coming semester.
All we want is for our youngest and only daughter to be able to pursue her degree as a mechanical engineering major at the New Mexico Tech - her ticket to a more advance degrees and a successful adult life.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude for all your support to this "GoFund Me" effort in making my daughter's (Marie) dreams become a reality.
To God be the glory! God bless you all.
Dondi and Vangie Ruiz
From Mr. Michael Campos, CA
Marie is my niece. Valedictorian of the Class of 2017 at Zuni High School.
She spent the better part of the last four years living in the Zuni Pueblo while her parents taught in the pueblo's high school.
Marie's mom was among those recruited from the Philippines to teach in the Baltimore Public School system. They are here because we needed their skills to support some of our nation's struggling school systems.
And that's where the good news ends.
The family's applications for permanent residency proved unsuccessful. And with that, the necessary scholarships to fund Marie's first semester in university, withdrawn. This GoFundMe site appeals for support while the family reorganizes its fast dwindling options to remain here or return home.
I reflect on the transactional nature of migration—who needs whom? Whose needs are held in privilege? And whose needs are conveniently diminished in the process? Marie is here—essentially raised in the United States—because her mom was needed. This country needed the skills she possessed.
What obligations do we bear in return?
Organizer and beneficiary
Ryan Gomito
Organizer
Gallup, NM
Evangeline Ruiz
Beneficiary
