Canutillo High School’s Candice Marrufo and Alderete Middle School’s Nidia Avila have been named finalists for regional Principal of the Year honors by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals – an award honoring the top campus administrators in the El Paso area.
Marrufo, a second-year principal at Canutillo High, is a finalist in the High School Category, while four-year Alderete Principal Avila is a finalist in the Middle School Category.
“Ms. Marrufo and Ms. Avila exemplify the very best of what Canutillo ISD has to offer our students and families,” Superintendent Dr. Pedro Galaviz said. “Their continued efforts to elevate instruction and provide their students with world-class opportunities are now being noticed by their peers in the state, and they represent the type of commitment all of our educators make in an effort to improve the lives of the children of Canutillo.”
The winners of the award will be announced during the association’s summer workshop on June 13 in Austin.
Marrufo is being honored for her work to improve academics at Canutillo’s flagship campus. Since taking the helm of the school, student performance has improved significantly.
The Canutillo High School Class of 2024 secured more than $20 million in scholarships, including the most high-rigor scholarships in school history. This year, CHS had the most QuestBridge finalists of any school in the region, and three students became QuestBridge scholars. Additionally, the school also received one Gates Millenium Scholarship.
“It’s my honor to be part of the team of educators working diligently to transform the lives of students here in Canutillo,” Marrufo said. “I am happy that the work that is done both here at CHS and in every corner of the District is being noticed by professionals all over the state.”
Avila is being recognized for her work to expand opportunities to her students, including the creation of professional academies designed to give middle schoolers unprecedented access to career preparation options.
This year, the school added a third academy to provide three options for students to earn high-school credit and, eventually, industry certifications. The school offers programs in healthcare, teacher training and law enforcement.
“We are the only middle school in the region to offer academies in such a robust way, and we are proud to be able to get our students started on their academic and professional journey this early in their careers,” she said. “This is the way we operate in Canutillo: we look for opportunities to lead and take them on without hesitation.”