Hannah Giovannetti

Ms. Giovannetti comes from a long line of Woodland community members.  She attended California State University, Sacramento where she earned a BA in Intercultural Communication Studies and an MA in History.   Ms. Giovannetti enjoys fostering the spiritual, emotional, and academic development of young minds.  Her faith background and passion for guiding others in the light of Christ led her to a career in Catholic education.  In her free time, she likes meditating in nature, reading, walking, and spending time with her family.

Brenda Fechter

Mrs. Fetcher was born and raised in Woodland. She is the school secretary/office manager at the school. She has been working at Holy Rosary for 13 years. She enjoys assisting parents, students and teachers. She is quick to volunteer to help others. She is married and has two adult sons and three grandsons who are the light of her life. She and her family enjoy the summer and spend weekends on the water with their jet skis.

Jan Martinez

Mrs. Martinez was born and raised in Sacramento. She attended parochial schools, which is where the foundation of her faith continued to grow. She has four sons, who all attended Holy Rosary Catholic School. Mrs. Martinez began working at Holy Rosary Catholic School in 1991. She worked in different classes, but settled in as a third and fourth grade instructional assistant. She continues to devote her time to Holy Rosary even into retirement. She enjoys traveling, gardening, and spending time with her family and friends.

Mary Papas

Mrs. Papas is a familiar face around Holy Rosary School. She has been affiliated with the school for 40 years. She started in 1975 when her son attended school. Mrs. Papas has worked with 15 principals, always filling in where needed. The school is ‘her second home’. She enjoys knitting, walking, sewing and reading.

Patricia Arriaga

A lifelong resident of Yolo County with roots in the small town of Winters, with a background in agriculture and entrepreneurship as a Registered Seed Technologist (USDA) and business owner of a seed testing laboratory in Woodland. Patty has also dedicated her time to her Catholic faith as the former Director of Religious Education for 12 years at Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

Then relocating to pursue a successful 18 year career in the insurance corporate world, including roles as State Trainer, management and leadership training, she returned to her hometown of Woodland to continue her passion for servant leadership at Holy Rosary Catholic Church and School. As the HRCS Development and Admission Director, Patty is instrumental in representing and marketing the school, fostering growth, and building relationships with community organizations. A dedication to securing philanthropic support will be instrumental in furthering HRCS mission and ensuring a nurturing environment for Saint Students and their families.  

Patty enjoys family trips with her husband of 37 years, Gustavo, their 2 sons, daughter-in-laws, and 3 grandkids. Both her sons are alumni of HRCS, and her grandkids now attend Catholic school.

Estela Ramirez

I was born and raised in Stockton, Ca. Both of my parents were Catholic and strongly believed that their children should attend Catholic school so I was blessed to attend St. George Catholic School from Kindergarten- 8th grade. After high school, I attended college and I earned an associate degree in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Science in Human Services through University of Phoenix.

I worked as a Preschool teacher for many years for the Head Start program in Colusa. A few years later I decided to enroll in a teaching credential program at Brandman University. I worked for over ten years at Our Lady of Lourdes School (OLL) in Colusa. During the ten years working at OLL I had the opportunity to teach Kindergarten, 3rd grade Math and 1st/2nd grade combo. Catholic schools are a blessing to our Catholic faith and I am grateful to be part of it.

Montserrat Arias

Ms. Montserrat Arias brings nearly twenty years of experience teaching third and fourth grade students in a Catholic school setting. She earned a Bachelor of Art degree from Notre Dame de Namur University, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Master in Education, with a specialization in Cross – Cultural Teaching, through National University.

Ms. Arias’s approach to teaching begins with creating areas within the classroom that foster a sound foundation for learning. Experience has taught her the importance of providing students with the necessary tools needed toward a lifetime of learning so they can reach their highest potential
academically, physically, and spiritually.

Ms. Arias enjoys traveling, reading, and learning different languages, but most of all she loves spending time with her family and pets.

Lilianna Semchenko

Mrs. Semchenko is a UC Davis graduate with a major in human development, focusing on childhood and adolescent development. She was called to teach through her passion for inspiring others and helping foster positive development. Having received a Catholic education herself, her experiences have instilled an appreciation for the values and teachings of Catholicism, motivating her to bring her knowledge and passion to a Catholic school setting. Mrs. Semchenko’s hobbies include reading, traveling, cooking, and spending time with family.

In hiring process

Eduardo Lopez

Mr. Lopez was born and raised catholic in the Bay Area. For most of his youth he played the drums in his church choir. Mr. Lopez holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration and an associates degree in physical education. He is very passionate about teaching the fundamentals of physical education and physical development through games and sports that creates a healthy and active lifestyle for his students. His passion for athletics began when he was a student athlete in Jr. high, high school, and college. He has many years of coaching experience from basketball youth camps to coaching at the high school level. In his freetime Mr. Lopez enjoys camping and hiking with my family, reading and playing music. Mr. Lopez has been a member of Holy Rosary Parish for over 20 years and a parent of Holy Rosary school for the past 13 years.

Rocio Meraz

Mrs. Meraz has a background in social work (BSW). She is a wife and mother of 6 who loves our Catholic faith and our Catholic Schools. She enjoys watching our children learn and grow in every way possible and loves sharing the Catholic faith with them.

Mary Ornellas

Ms. Mary Ornellas started work at HRS in 2019 as the Instructional Aide for the 1st/2nd Grade Classroom. She comes to HRS with a background in Early Childhood Education having been a Preschool Teacher (11yrs) promoted to Director for 16 years with the Archdiocese of San Francisco. She also worked in the Parks and Recreation field planning and coordinating programs for elementary school children. Her education includes a Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreation and a Masters Degree in Recreation Administration from San Francisco State University. Mary enjoys working with children and seeing them grow in their educational endeavors at their own pace and development. Truly an excitement when a child succeeds! Being a grandmother of 7 grandchildren, she possesses patience and unconditional love. She truly enjoys spending time with each and every one of them. They bring joy and excitement to her and her husband Adam. Children are the future so her time and energy is spent helping them to grow not only in their faith and love of Jesus but to become good citizens learning to respect others, and to make good choices. Mary enjoys her work here at HRS and looks forward to another year of learning with amazing children.

Andrea Vargas

Ms. Vargas is passionate about helping others and encouraging them to do their best. She had the opportunity to work with students in Pre-K and Kindergarten. She enjoys working with students, particularly motivating and guiding them to be successful in their academic goals. Ms. Vargas grew up in a family with catholic values. For Ms. Vargas, God is with her in every part of her path and helps her to find courage and strength. 

Francesca Ungermann

Ms. Ungermann is originally from Davis, CA. She received her teaching credential from University of California, Santa Cruz as well as a B.A. in History and M.A. in Education. She has experience working as a student teacher in a kindergarten classroom, and has worked as a substitute teacher for Davis Joint Unified School District. This is her first year teaching at a Catholic school.

Ms. Ungermann is a convert to the Church, and is passionate about sharing Catholic values and teaching in the classroom. Ms. Ungermann believes in the importance of a good education in helping a child succeed. She finds great joy in teaching children and watching them grow over the school year. She is grateful to be a part of the Holy Rosary teaching team.

Charlene Brigham

Mrs. Brigham is a devoted wife and mother of two boys at Holy Rosary. With a deep passion for nurturing and supporting children, she serves as a dedicated teacher’s aide at the school. Before joining Holy Rosary, Mrs. Brigham enjoyed a successful 20-year career in the entertainment industry as a professional singer and in marketing as a promotions specialist. This transition to education has been a refreshing change of pace for her, and she finds great joy in assisting teachers and contributing to the development of students while promoting Catholic values.

Carolina Santana