Graduating with the class of 2026 at Mt. SAC Early College Academy (MECA) is Homecoming Queen Sofia Hernandez. Hernandez is a lively and outgoing student and is loved and supported by her friends and family.

Her main reason she wanted to go to MECA was mostly because she would see a lot of familiar faces.“My sister was at this school, and her friends that I have known since elementary were also going to this school,” said Hernandez. During her four years at MECA, Hernandez’s favorite memory is her sophomore year at Fall Fest: “I was working the whole night, but my friend group made it really memorable…they kind of just hung out around me at all my booths, so it was fun.”

Another memorable night for Hernandez was this year’s Homecoming, where she was announced HOCO Queen. Despite this victory, Hernandez had her doubts on whether or not she would win, “I didn’t think it was going to be me. My friend told me it was. I was just happy to be on the court with Lucy. I’m glad we got to do that together.”

Hernandez’s plans for after graduation consist of attending a four-year college, preferably at UCLA, USC, or Notre Dame.

“I’m going to get my bachelor’s, and from there I’m going to a pre-med program because I want to be a psychiatrist and will eventually need to go to medical school,” said Hernandez.

Hernandez’s advice for the students still attending MECA is to “Do your work,” explaining that, “even though the teachers go really easy on us, still do your work, [and] actually pay attention in chemistry, don’t just fall asleep in class.”

With graduation slowly approaching, Hernandez is ready to graduate with her friends and peers.