She has been at Channel Islands for 4 years, likes to get her nails done, and is a fan of Pitbull. Any guesses on who this mystery woman might be? That’s right, our principal, Ms. Maricruz Hernandez.

Graduating from Channel Islands in ’87, Ms. Hernandez is full of Raider spirit as she wears a CI jacket. Ms. Hernandez sits gracefully as she waits for questions from the Isle File class, her smile giving off a warm radiance. As the interview goes on, it is easy to tell Hernandez enjoys giving back.

“In my heart, I really want to work with people that I can provide a service,” Hernandez says with care.

Her mains goals are to create a positive environment in which students can reach their potential. Hernandez admits she has always wanted to work with people, even though she did not originally work in a very social place.

Before getting her teaching credentials, Hernandez studied to be an engineer. Due to the lack of human interaction, she decided to get into the education business. Now here, she is four-year principal of the school she originally graduated from. (Fun Fact: Her brother, Mr. Hernandez, is principal of our rival school, Hueneme.)

Now that the education questions are aside, some interesting things about our principal were discovered. For example, she likes to read and get her nails done. Hernandez says she likes to escape reality and surround herself with positive things to get her mind in a happy place. Amongst her happy places, this summer Hernandez visited her family in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

As for the future, Ms. Hernandez hopes there will be no senior prank this year. Last year’s prank had “very bad taste,” she said.

“Do not put students at harm,” is Ms. Hernandez’s message for the graduating class of 2015.

Concerned and charming are just a few words to describe the woman we have as a principal. She truly cares for the well-being of the students at CI and is always open to improvement. Despite her title, Hernandez has her moments where she wants to escape, just like us.