Administration

Principal Benavides

Welcome to Dolores Huerta High School, a place where every student is valued, respected, and honored for who they are and who they are becoming.

My name is Bertha Benavides-Lopez, and I am honored to serve as the principal of Dolores Huerta High School. At the heart of my leadership are three values that guide me every day: familia, respeto, y honestidad — family, respect, and honesty.

Why Education?

I chose education because I believe deeply in the power of possibility. I want to help students who remind me of myself. I understand what it is like to come from an immigrant family, to grow up with limited financial resources, and to wonder whether your circumstances will determine your future. My own journey taught me that where you begin does not have to determine where you end.

I want every student to understand one important message: Failing once does not make you a failure. A setback is not the end of your story. It is an opportunity to learn, grow, and begin again.

A School Built on Love and Connection

Dolores Huerta High School is more than a continuation school. We are a familia. We strive to create a community where students feel safe, loved, connected, respected, and supported.

Our students deserve to feel seen, heard, respected, and honored. As a school community, we will celebrate progress, encourage perseverance, and remind one another that success can look different for every person.

Our Students' Future

As your principal, my goal is simple but powerful: I want every Dolores Huerta student to succeed — and to soar.

I want our students to embrace our values while living the expectations of the SAUSD. Together, we will work toward helping every student reach the goals outlined in the SAUSD Graduate Profile.

Your past does not define your future. There is so much possibility ahead. Welcome to Dolores Huerta High School. This is our familia. This is our home. This is your place to grow, succeed, and soar.

With pride and cariño,
Bertha Benavides-Lopez, M.A.
Principal

Assistant Principal Parreco

Welcome to Dolores Huerta High School! My name is Nolan Parreco, and I am honored to serve our incredible school community. My journey as an educator began back in 2014 when I started my teaching career on this very campus. I quickly fell in love with our school, our dedicated staff, our students, and the Santa Ana community. When the opportunity arose to return in an administrative capacity, I jumped at the chance to come back home.

Why Education & The Power of Literacy

Having spent 11 years as an English Language Arts teacher, I believe deeply in the transformative power of education. Literacy is far more than an academic subject — it is the key tool that unlocks endless possibilities and gives students the agency to shape their own futures. This lifelong passion inspired me to pursue my Doctorate in Education with an emphasis in literacy, with the goal of ensuring every student builds the skills and confidence needed to write their own success story.

Servant Leadership & Student Greatness

At my core, I am a servant leader. To me, leadership means showing up every day to actively support and serve our school, our students, our staff, and our community. I believe with all my heart that our students possess the raw materials of greatness waiting to be forged into something truly amazing. By stepping onto our campus every day, they demonstrate incredible resilience and perseverance — two core strengths that naturally lead to excellence.

Living Our Mission & Looking Ahead

I believe wholeheartedly in the vision of Dolores Huerta High School. We are dedicated to meeting the unique educational, physical, and social-emotional needs of our diverse student population in a safe, nurturing environment. Together, we foster an enthusiasm for lifelong learning and empower our students to confidently pursue their college and career aspirations.

We are set up for an incredible school year! I am thrilled to partner with Principal Benavides, our staff, and our families as we celebrate our students, nurture their strengths, and help them live up to their full potential.

With gratitude,
Nolan Parreco
Assistant Principal