via Northern Essex Community College
When Lawrence High School (LHS) 2020 graduate Joseph Trinidad begins his studies at the College of the Holy Cross later this year, he will do so with 42 college credits he earned at Northern Essex Community College through the Early College program which allows area high school students to enroll in college classes while still attending high school.
Trinidad, who earned a 3.84 GPA, was one of 47 LHS students honored during the LHS graduation celebration. Each received an Early College participation certificate and cord. Northern Essex President Lane Glenn also sent a personal video message.
“If this were a normal year we would be together in the same room, you and I, surrounded by family and friends, teachers from your high school, staff here at the college, celebrating this Early College graduation tonight, but this is not a normal year and you are not a normal class and we are thankful for that,” Glenn said. “You’re strong, you’re smart, you’re resilient. You have managed to accumulate all these college credits while graduating from high school during a pandemic…we celebrate you here today…wherever you go, I am cheering you on.”
Some 14 LHS Early College students will continue their education at NECC while others will attend Tufts University, UMass Amherst, Babson College, St. Anselm’s, University of San Francisco and Simmons University.
In addition to Trinidad, Early College graduates included Jesus Guzman, who was named LHS class of 2020 valedictorian this year. He earned a 3.87 GPA with a total of 31 college credits. He was awarded the Bowker Prize this year as the most outstanding senior in English. He played four years of soccer and was named captain his junior year. He was a high honors student and a member of the National Honor Society. He will continue his studies at NECC through the Lawrence Promise Scholarship Program, which provides a free associate degree for Early College grads who continue at NECC.