Angie Ruiz: film actress.(THE NOTEWORTHY)

"Honesty makes a good role model," says Angie Ruiz, "choosing appropriate behavior, and being down to earth so people can relate to you instead of being placed on a pedestal." With a lack of traditional mentorship, this free-spirited, adventuresome actress has always found role models in unexpected places. She prefers "everyday people" and books with inspiring messages rather than succumbing to the Hollywood glitz.

In fact, Ruiz, 29, a humanitarian at heart, enjoys community-based work outside of her home-base city, Los Angeles. "I love my job as an actress, but there's a lot of self-promotion involved. I mean, you am the product. So I am really happy when I get involved in …