Lily Erazo, a freshman at Mt. SAC Early College Academy (MECA), is making the most of her first year of high school. Coming from St. Joseph Catholic School, she’s excited about the unique opportunities MECA offers and is eager to dive into her future. With a strong sense of determination,Erazo is already focused on shaping her path ahead of her, both academically and personally.
Her family heard about MECA through her fellow freshman friends Jesse Ramirez and John Mayoralgo. Erazo explained that “Jesse and John had brothers who came here… And so, I knew [MECA] from them because I’ve known Jesse and John since we were in kindergarten.”
Mayoralgo, stated that they’d known each other for “10 years, maybe.” They were “acquaintances” for a long time; they became close friends after coming to MECA. His first impression of her was, “I thought she was just like a normal person. Like everyone… I just thought she was cool.”
Erazo is very passionate about sports. She’s a competitive jiu-jitsu player and an all-star cheerleader at a D2 (Division II) gym. Erazo explains, “[I wanted to do cheerleading at first] Because I watched my sister do it when I was little, and so I was like, I’m going to be just like her. And so now I’m like, I’m going to be better than her.”
While participating in competitive sports, she also likes to play other sports just for fun. “I like to play soccer, but I don’t like running. I love volleyball, too,” said Erazo.
Erazo’s love for sports goes beyond just the hobbies, she has big goals for her future. Her dream career is to become a sports psychiatrist. “I want to be a sports psychiatrist because I went through a lot of like crazy stuff when I was a kid [with] coaches being abusive not like physically but mentally abusive and so I want to help little kids,” she shared.
In addition to her future goals, Erazo is also focused on her academic journey at MECA. She enrolled at MECA to help pursue her goal as a psychiatrist. “I came to MECA because it will help me not do 12 years of college for being a psychiatrist,” Erazo explains.
At MECA, Erazo enjoys a variety of classes. Her favorite is ceramics, where she loves being creative and messy. “I like being messy,” she laughs. She also takes study skills as a elective, which helps her get her work done.
When it comes to extracurricular activities, Erazo has already joined the Theater Club and the Micro Influencers Club, which she says are both “going pretty good.” Though she stays busy with sports and school, she’s always looking for ways to get more involved.
Looking ahead, Erazo is eager for what the next few years of high school will bring. She’s excited about having fun with her friends, but she’s also focused on reaching her big goals. With her dedication to her studies, her love of sports, and her drive to help others, Erazo is on track for a bright future at MECA and beyond.
