District News
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Jill Anderson
Waco ISD is celebrating a remarkable academic milestone: 37 students will graduate with associate degrees from McLennan Community College before receiving their high school diplomas. Among the 37 students, five students from the Waco ISD Future Educators Academy will be the first in the program to graduate. Since its inception four years ago, this year will be the first graduating class of the Future Educators Academy. This significant achievement highlights the determination of our students to challenge themselves and excel within our dual-credit programs.
Students will be recognized on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, during the McLennan Community College ceremony honoring students completing their associate degrees. These graduates have completed rigorous college coursework while also fulfilling their high school graduation requirements.
The 2026 early college graduates hail from both high school campuses, comprising 16 students from University High School and 21 from Waco High School.
“I am incredibly proud of these students for the determination and perseverance they’ve shown throughout this journey,” said Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Spicer. “What makes this milestone so special is that they didn’t just meet expectations, they exceeded them, and they are inspiring excellence in those around them. They’ve navigated the demands of higher education while staying committed to their high school goals, reaching their fullest potential in the process. They leave us this year not just with a diploma, but with the confidence and the credentials to make an immediate impact in their chosen fields.”
Waco ISD is excited to announce the graduation ceremonies for both University High School and Waco High School. The University High School graduation will be held at the Waco ISD Stadium on May 21, 2026, starting at 7:30 p.m. The following evening, on May 22, 2026, Waco High School will celebrate its graduation at the same venue, also beginning at 7:30 p.m.
The following students earned associate degrees through McLennan Community College:
University High School
- Hadara Acevedo
- David Chavez
- Karren Chavez
- Allaie Cortes-Crus
- Melissa Cortez
- Natalie Flores
- Ricardo Gonzalez
- Eric Lopez
- Jobanny Lorenzo Serrato
- Kimberly Moreno
- Chloe-Jean Pedrotti (Future Educators Academy)
- Joseph Ramos
- Alexander Rios
- Cassandra Saucedo
- Makenzie Truehitt
- Eliseo Zuniga
Waco High School
- Sylvia Arellano Macias (Future Educators Academy)
- Esmeralda Aviles
- Jeremiah De La Rosa McCommas
- Ana Enrriquez (Future Educators Academy)
- Anelis Galan (Future Educators Academy)
- Kevin Gilmore
- Juan Guevara
- Brittany Leija
- Jonathan Leija Marin
- Jose Martinez
- Daniella Mercado
- Joshua Nelson
- Emmanuel Perez
- Alexis Quintana
- Valeria Quintana
- Karyme Reyes (Future Educators Academy)
- Denny Rivera-Espinoza
- Lilly Rose
- Kevin Santos
- Isaiah Tavera
- Camila Vega
The dual credit partnership between McLennan Community College and Waco ISD is designed to allow high school students from the district to earn dual high school and college credit by enrolling in MCC credit courses.