Mihael Mendo is one of the hundreds of high school students who will simultaneously earn their high school diplomas and associate degrees from Lone Star College this month. However, he will be among a select few earning a third degree from the American College of Musicians.
“It hasn’t been easy juggling high school, music and college, but I received a lot of support from my parents, family and teachers through Spring Early College Academy and Lone Star College,” said Mendo.
Mendo started Spring Early College Academy right before the COVID-19 pandemic. Trying to balance high school and LSC-North Harris classes and keeping up with the piano was challenging. However, he found the key that helped him through that difficult time.
“During the pandemic, I struggled a lot because I started my college classes, had to switch to online learning and I was entering an advanced level of piano,” said Mendo. “Consistency is what helped me a lot because although there were days that I didn’t want to even look at the piano out of fatigue from school, I told myself to practice even if it was just for a little bit.”
Spring Early College Academy works with LSC’s Early College High School (ECHS) program allowing high school students in its service district to earn a high school diploma and an associate degree simultaneously or earn up to 60 credit hours toward a baccalaureate degree. Spring Early College Academy joined LSC-North Harris in the 2019-2020 academic year.
“Lone Star College’s Early College High School is an open enrollment program for highly-motivated, academically driven mature students who desire to be challenged and are capable of completing the curriculum,” said Archie L. Blanson, Ph.D., LSC-North Harris President. “Our rigorous instruction and accelerated courses help increase students’ college readiness when they transfer to a four-year institution.”
Mendo credits Spring Early College Academy and LSC-North Harris for preparing him for his next steps after graduation through developing networking and organization skills. Additionally, his experiences with faculty and staff guided him through the program and helped him develop his goals.
“This opportunity taught me how to keep a calendar, create a resume and apply to various colleges and scholarships,” said Mendo. “Lone Star College professors are passionate about their jobs and ready and willing to guide and mentor all students, not just those involved in dual credit.”
Mendo started his musical journey at age four after his parents enrolled him in the Suzuki Academy for Music. Over the last 14 years, he developed and honed his piano skills through recitals and jazz ensembles and played the trombone and tuba in the middle school band. During the pandemic, Mendo used his talents to uplift spirits at Spring Early College Academy, eventually reaching Lupita Hinojosa, Ed.D., Spring ISD’s first Hispanic Superintendent.
“Seeing a Hispanic leader in my community inspired me so much that I sent Dr. Hinojosa a welcome video of me playing ‘Rhapsody Brillante,’” Mendo said. “She loved it and has become a great mentor and friend.”
Mendo auditioned and received a high school diploma from the American College of Musicians in April, obtained an associate of arts degree from LSC-North Harris last week and will graduate from the Spring Early College Academy in June. This fall, his goal is to attend a four-year university and major in English and another program such as marketing, international relations or psychology. Mendo’s career interests include being a marketing manager, foreign diplomat or a psychiatrist while keeping music as a hobby.
Visit LoneStar.edu/HS-Programs to learn more about the opportunities to help high school students meet their academic goals.
Lone Star College enrolls over 80,000 students each semester providing high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., serves as Chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and has been named a 2022 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education and recognized by Fortune Magazine and Great Place To Work® as one of this year’s Best Workplaces in Texas™. LSC consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.