IYT at Merced High School June Newsletter
- kennie
- Jul 16
- 3 min read
June 2025
Month In Review
This past month, IYT at Merced High School focused on building bright futures. Our brothers explored green careers on a college tour to UC Davis and learned how to navigate campus resources in a practical workshop. This drive for success was personified by our straight-A academic achievers—Christian Montanez, Adam Tollison, Tristan McDonald, and Benjamin Guerrero—and by David Curiel, who earned both Brother of the Month and Member of the Year for his incredible growth and dedication.
UC Davis College Tour with BEAM!
This month, brothers from both Merced High School and Golden Valley High School in IYT had the exciting opportunity to attend another college tour—this time to UC Davis! The tour was made possible through a partnership with BEAM, which stands for BioEconomy, Agriculture, & Manufacturing. BEAM focuses on industries that promote sustainability and innovation, with a mission rooted in circular solutions that reduce waste, conserve natural resources, and support healthy communities.
During the visit, students had the opportunity to explore the UC Davis campus, stroll through the ecological garden, and hear from professors in the agricultural and environmental science departments. In addition, they also got to visit and learn more about the area where waste from UC Davis is processed and repurposed, deepening their understanding of sustainability efforts and environmental responsibility. It was an inspiring and educational experience that gave our brothers a closer look at potential future pathways in higher education and green industries.
Academic Achievement Spotlight
This month, we’re excited to highlight the exceptional academic achievements of several IYT brothers who continue to excel in the classroom:
Christian Montanez, a 9th grader, has maintained straight A’s all year. With a strong interest in engineering, Christian is already setting his sights on Cal Poly Pomona as a future college choice.
Adam Tollison, also in 9th grade, has worked hard to earn straight A’s as well. Adam is passionate about psychology and dreams of becoming a psychologist in the future.
Tristan McDonald, an 11th grader, has consistently maintained straight A’s and is interested in pursuing a career in architecture or construction. He also plans to serve his country in the Air Force before following his career path.
Benjamin Guerrero, another 11th grader, has also upheld straight A’s throughout the school year. Benjamin plans to join the Air Force and hopes to become a mechanical engineer in the future.
We are proud to recognize these young men for their commitment to excellence, leadership, and long-term goals. Keep striving, brothers—your hard work and determination are paving the way for bright futures!
1st Annual Talent Show
This month’s IYT workshop focused on preparing our brothers for college life by introducing them to valuable campus resources at UC Merced.
The session began with a research activity, where students used their Chromebooks to search for “UC Merced Campus Resources.” They spent 10 minutes per topic taking notes on the services and support systems available to students. This hands-on activity gave them real experience in finding and understanding the resources they may need in college, from academic support to health services and student life opportunities.
To wrap up the session, students participated in a fun and interactive Kahoot! quiz, testing their knowledge of what they learned during the activity.
The goal of this workshop was to help students become resourceful and proactive in navigating their future college environments.
Brother of the Month
David Curiel
10th Grade
We’re proud to recognize David Curiel as Brother of the Month for May! In his first year with IYT, David has shown outstanding dedication by attending every after-school session, actively joining events, and fully participating in IYT rituals. Though he started the year quiet, he has grown into a vocal and engaged member of the brotherhood. Academically, he’s worked hard to maintain strong grades and quickly addressed challenges to stay college-ready. This month, David was also named IYT’s "Member of the Year", a well-deserved honor that reflects his consistency, growth, and leadership.
Program Info
Mentor & Parent Engagement
Parent Engagement Sessions: | 111 |
Mentor Sessions: | 111 |