Jesus Guzman will continue his studies at NECC.

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.

Gladdys Jiminian will graduate from college a year early, thanks to the Early College credits she earned. She will attend NECC in the fall.

Gladdys Jiminian, who earned 32 credits with a 3.5 GPA, will also continue at NECC. She moved to the United States when she was in the 6th grade and quickly learned English. A high honors student, she was nominated for the Ana L. Carey Creative English Award, a scholarship and award to a senior who demonstrated excellence in creative English. She has been a member of the Andover outreach program called “Bread Loaf” since 2015. Within this program, Jiminian supported other students by teaching them poetry, writing and art workshops, helping with homework, art projects, communication, self-expression, and self-acceptance.

Here is a list of all LHS students who participated in Early College.

Northern Essex currently has Early College Programs with Lawrence, Haverhill, Whittier and Amesbury high schools. Last fall, there were 300 high school students receiving college credit from Northern Essex by enrolling in Early College Programs or other high school partnerships. To learn more, visit the website or contact NECC at 978 659-1235 or pk12@necc.mass.edu