Cindy Monjaraz is a friendly and lighthearted freshman at Mt. SAC Early College Academy (MECA). She first heard about the school in 2019 from her mom, who saw it as a great opportunity for her future. Cindy previously attended San Jose Charter Academy in West Covina and chose MECA because of its strong academic programs and early college opportunities.
“My goals for the next four years are to keep my all A’s and to do things that will help me reach my career and make college life easier on me,” Cindy shared.
Cindy has her sights set on becoming an attorney, with a strong interest in criminal and family law. She believes her ability to learn and memorize things quickly will help her excel in law school and, one day, in the courtroom.
“I wanna do criminal justice, but also maybe family,” she explained.
Her dream college is Stanford University, though she originally considered Harvard because of its well-known law program.
“I actually researched [Stanford] a bit, that’s why I put it on my CCR project,” Cindy stated.
To prepare for her future, she’s planning to take Speech and Debate next year and get involved in volunteering to build a strong college application.
Outside of academics, Cindy is an active member of MECA’s Cheer and Dance team, where she has performed at house competitions, the Glendora Christmas Parade, and the Covina Christmas Parade. She enjoys performing and being part of a spirited team that brings energy to school events.
This year, her elective is art, but next year, she’s excited to challenge herself with Speech and Debate to improve her public speaking—an essential skill for any future lawyer.
Cindy has a variety of hobbies that keep her busy outside of school. She loves going to the gym, cooking, baking, and doing her own nails. One of her favorite things to bake is homemade bagels, though she also recently tried a viral mac and cheese recipe from TikTok creator Tini, which she says was “sooo good!”
One of Cindy’s favorite classes is P.E., where she enjoys the break from schoolwork and the chance to be active. Matt Johnson, MECA’s P.E. teacher, had a lot to say about Cindy’s personality and strengths.
“She was bubbly and talkative from the start,” Johnson shared. “People are drawn to her.”
He described her as a natural negotiator, always finding ways to talk her way out of tough situations.
“She’s a heck of a negotiator. I know when she starts talking, she’s trying to get out of something, but I can’t help myself—I get pulled into the conversation!”
With her strong work ethic, leadership skills, and ambitious mindset, Cindy is making the most of her high school experience at MECA. There’s no doubt that Cindy Monjaraz is a name we’ll be hearing again in the future—perhaps even in a courtroom, fighting for justice. But for now, she’s enjoying the high school journey.
