Cierra Ramirez is about to help shine a spotlight on the life of the American teenager…

The 16-year-old actress, who will be turning 17 tomorrow (March 9), has joined the cast of ABC Family’s drama series The Secret Life of the American Teenager.

Ramirez—who will star opposite Eva Mendes in the feature film Girl in Progress— will play Kathy, a new freshman who Amy (Shailene Woodley) has been asked to mentor. Kathy, who is six-months pregnant, lives with her grandmother.

Ramirez has previously starred on the Disney Channel’s The Suite Life Of Zach And Cody, as well as guest-starred on CSI: Miami and Desperate Housewives.

She’s currently filming her first episode of Secret Life, which is the series’ 100th.