Madera South grad ranked No. 1

For The Madera Tribune

Michelle Ramirez-Rueda.

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Madera South High School’s Michelle Ramirez-Rueda will walk across the stage during 2026 Commencement Ceremonies at Matilda Torres High School as the No. 1 ranked student in her class.

However, she didn’t set out for the top spot. 

“Originally, I was attempting to try hard classes to challenge myself, and I got No. 1, which is amazing,” she said. “There was competition for that from a lot of other students that wanted to take other challenging classes. I wasn’t aware I was the No. 1. I just wanted to challenge myself with the AP classes and dual enrollment classes.”

Ramirez-Rueda will graduate Wednesday with a 4.5 grade point average, and will attend University of California Berkeley in the fall, majoring in business. 

“I would like to earn experience in the business field and come back to the Central Valley and open an accounting firm that provides accounting services to families and youths,” she said. 

Ramirez-Rueda was chosen among the many grads as a featured graduate, and is honored for the selection. 

“I feel respected by the administration,” she said. “I am really grateful for everything the school has done for me.”

Ramirez-Rueda found out last summer she was ranked No. 1 in the class. That good news came at a good time for Ramirez-Rueda because she was dealing with some mental health issues. 

“This school challenged me and I overcame those obstacles. It was really nice and I was proud of myself,” she said. “I had some financial instability in my household that made my mental health bad. It was something that was a big part of my life. That’s why I want to help other families and youths. I got help from my counselors for my classes. When I needed to take a step back, I would ask my teachers, and they would be understanding.”

At Madera South, Ramirez-Rueda was a member of the California Scholarship Federation, Future Business Leaders of America and a Stem club she founded with some her friends. However, her specialty, of course, was FBLA. She was a vice president this year, and the historian last year.

She knows how tough it was for her parents. She is the second youngest out of six, but will be the first one to graduate high school and get a degree from college. 

“My parents really struggled,” Ramirez-Rueda said. “They weren’t able to go to high school.”

“In order for me to deal with all of my classes and extra curricular activities, I had to have a planner and a schedule of what to do,” she said. “When I finished my assignment, I gave myself a little 20 minute break to do some scrolling on social media or have some ice cream. I have relaxed a lot this past semester. I dealt with homework first and relaxed after.”

She said that the past four years went by too fast and she advises other students to appreciate the moments with friends, teachers and counselors. 

“Being here now was not in my mindset when I started,” Ramirez-Rueda said. “I didn’t think I would be No. 1 or taking these dual enrollment classes and AP classes. I thought it would be too hard. I wanted to get a much as I could. I wanted to accomplish a lot for my family. I would tell my freshman self that it would be okay if you lost a friend with mental issues or if you had too much homework. You’ll find new friends who are actual friends.”

Ramirez-Rueda has the advantage of having a ‘built in’ friend, her twin sister, Marjorie. 

“It’s always nice with my twin,” she said. “Sometimes, homework could be challenging, and I want to talk to someone about it. My twin is always there to listen. It goes both ways with helping each other. We have different strengths and weaknesses.”

They tried to play twin games with their teachers when they were younger, but not now. 

“Now, she changes her appearance, dyes her hair and wears more make up,” Ramirez-Rueda said. 

While Ramirez-Rueda is headed to Berkeley, her twin is headed the opposite direction to the College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita. 

“We’ve never been that far apart,” she said. “I’m quite nervous. She’s been by my side since birth. I’ll miss her more. My mom is nervous because we’re going to be far apart.” 

Despite senioritis kicking in last month, Ramirez-Rueda will hold her head high as she walks across the commencement stage on Wednesday. 

“I will feel a sense of appreciation and happiness, but I’ll be sad because I’ll miss my friends and teachers,” she said.