Vincent Hernandez is an energetic and talkative student graduating with the class of 2026. Hernandez came to MECA in the second semester of his freshman year, transferring from West Covina High School.

“I wanted to go to MECA in middle school, but I noticed that all my friends went to West Covina High School, but then I realized a lot of those people were probably not my friends, and I transferred over to MECA because it was my original idea,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez first heard of MECA from his middle school assembly, where he was instantly intrigued. “They promoted all this stuff about college credits and robotics, and I was trying to get into technology and coding,” he said.

Along with being interested in technology and coding, Hernandez has many other hobbies, including listening to music, playing games on his phone, such as Jurassic World, Hungry Shark, and MLB Nine Innings. Hernandez also enjoys drumming, “Drumming is a very interesting way of expressing my emotions.”

Hernandez has been drumming for two years. He has also done singing and played the guitar. “I continued drumming kind of during the pandemic because my mom started drumming, and that kind of inspired me into drumming again, but as [of] recently, I’ve been drumming mostly to punk rock or thrash metal,” Hernandez said.

With music already having a special spot in his heart, he especially loves to listen to music; some of his favorites to listen to are Tame Impala, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Deicide, and Amy Winehouse.

Hernandez’s favorite memory of MECA was not an event but was instead a person, former art teacher Luis Barriga. “Mr. B was like my best friend here as a teacher. He was definitely my favorite teacher, and when he left, I kind of dropped ceramics after taking it for a week because I realized this is literally not the same without Mr. B,” Hernandez said.

Another memory Hernandez has from MECA was this year’s Homecoming, where he won Homecoming King.. “I thought it was rigged, and I thought Jose Fletes should have won,” Hernandez said. “I thought it was cool at first. It was very surprising that everybody cheered. I didn’t expect that.”

“Counting down the days, I’m not gonna say I’m ready to leave, but I kind of am, and I guess I’ll feel a little sad on graduation, but then once it all passes, I think I’ll be fine,” said Hernandez, who has been having mixed emotions as graduation creeps around the corner..

Hernandez’s plans for after graduation include going to Mt. San Antonio College and then transferring to a four-year college to major in therapy or school counseling. “I want to be a school counselor or a school therapist, but a second job choice would probably be like a drummer if I continue drumming and practicing,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez did leave some advice for the future students that will be attending MECA, saying, “Don’t procrastinate, because once you procrastinate, your assignments will start building up, you won’t be able to finish everything in time, and your grades are just gonna drop. You’re gonna wanna try to at least achieve Bs at this school because you wanna take college classes so you can transfer to a four-year [college] at least with an associate’s.”