Graduating Mt. SAC Early College Academy (MECA) with honors in both academics and character is determined Kayla Iniguez. 

Iniguez’s heart lies within the art of helping others to where they want to be. She is part of Timberwolves Changing Stigma (TCS), the Commissioner of Houses, and has her own tutoring Club, aligning with her personality of being in assistance to others. 

As an inspiring philanthropist, Iniguez said, “Yeah, I mean it’s good to help out other people when you can, especially when you have the resources to, and I feel like, for me, I’ve had a lot of people that have helped me out in that way when they didn’t have to. And I think that’s just like a good thing to do.” 

Described as someone that wants to help others, she goes out of her way to make other people’s days, especially with who she likes to hang out with during lunch.

Ava Roman, one of Iniguez’s friends, said, “Kayla’s just a funny person, so like every time I’m with her, something kind of funny happens or something she says makes me laugh… She’s very positive, and I mean I’m not pessimistic, but I’m not as positive as Kayla, and she’s just a really positive person.” 

Outside of helping, she enjoys dancing and listening to K-POP, just to name a few. 

“I mean, it’s just stuff I enjoy. Dancing is just because I’ve been into K-pop and I think it’s cool…it’s a good anti-stressor and sometimes it’s good cardio too,” said Iniguez.

Iniguez also enjoys food and drawing.

 “I’m kind of like a foodie, I would say… [and] I just always like to draw, it’s just kind of fun for me. Like, I don’t really draw as much lately, but I just like to sketch when I’m bored,” said Iniguez.

She joined MECA because of her aunt, and stayed here because of how small and nice the community is.

“My auntie works at a dentist’s office near here and some of our patients went [to MECA] and they recommended it,” said Iniguez. “So we came over here, and it’s mainly for, I would say the college courses, and I think a lot of people come here for that. I feel like it being this small has its benefits because, I mean, it’s close.”

Iniguez has accomplished a lot during her four years at this high school. From honor roll to ASB positions, she has touched plenty of people’s hearts on campus, and none of it is more important than the impact she has made on this school.

Claire Contreras, the high school counselor, said, “She helps out with our Timberwolves Changing Stigma club… So as far as organizing any sort of wellness events, she and the other club members work with Ms. Jasmine, or myself, in having wellness events and activities that are ongoing.”

Moving on past MECA, she got accepted to the University of Southern California (USC) and is planning to major in business, business marketing, or economics. 

“My parents have a small business, which I’ve helped out with in the past a little bit. And I think that, I feel like it would be nice for me in the future to help other small businesses to grow,” Iniguez added. “I think it’s just kind of a fun career because I’m thinking about working in marketing, which I think is cool.”

The people around her believe that Iniguez can achieve whatever her future goals are wherever she is. They believe that she can accomplish anything that she looks towards due to her outgoing personality and attitude.

Contreras said, “Because she’s shown just in the four years of high school that she can do all of these different things. I think, when she sets her mind to it, she can achieve it. So she’s very driven and goal oriented because she knows how to advocate for herself, because she’s independent, because she has had good life experiences.”

As many seniors exit out of high school and on, towards college life, there are some things that they’ve experienced that they can pass on towards the lower classmen for the future. 

Iniguez said, “I think it’s just important to stay focused. Obviously take time for yourself, but also set goals; small goals for yourself so that you’re able to achieve what you want to achieve because, for me, looking at a big goal, that seems really daunting and it makes you not want to do anything. But if you set small little goals for yourself, and you just take it by the day, then it becomes more achievable.”

Katelynn Lee, Iniguez’s cousin, said, “I’m proud of [her]. [She’s] worked really hard to get to where [she wants] to be and [doesn’t] let anyone harshen [her] mood.”