IYT Merced High School Impact Update: February 2026
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
Month in Review: Mentorship & Meaningful Connections
February at Merced High School was all about extending our reach and building community. From guiding the next generation of high schoolers to honoring our local senior citizens, our young men are proving that true leadership is rooted in resilience, service, and teamwork.
Guiding the Next Generation: Bridge the Gap Event
February 25 was an exciting day for IYT as we hosted our Bridge the Gap event at Merced High School, welcoming 20 eager middle school students from Rivera and Hoover IYT to explore the campus and experience high school life firsthand.
Our high school students truly stepped into their leadership roles, serving as mentors for the day. They led presentations on clubs and sports, helped students check their grades, and facilitated a vital discussion on A–G requirements and the importance of staying on track for college. The middle schoolers were engaged, curious, and excited about high school, asking thoughtful questions and making connections. Events like this help ease the transition to high school while building confidence, and we’re proud to continue this annual tradition with our feeder schools!
Giving Back: Operation Valentine
Our IYT Brothers in Merced partnered with Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria and her team to participate in Operation Valentine, a program dedicated to honoring and showing appreciation for our local senior citizens.
During a special workshop, the Brothers took time to write heartfelt notes to seniors in the community. The activity encouraged students to reflect on the importance of kindness, gratitude, and service to others. These thoughtful messages were later distributed by Assemblywoman Soria and her team to local senior citizens the day before Valentine's Day, spreading joy throughout the city.
Jr. Mentors Accepted into Fellowship
We’re thrilled to celebrate our newest Jr. Mentor Service Fellowship members! This select leadership opportunity allows students to step into greater responsibility by leading activities, supporting peers, and organizing small service projects that give back to their school community.
For February, we recognized students who truly embody IYT’s core values of Liberation, Service, Character, and Teamwork. Congratulations to Tristan McDonald, Andrew Ortega, and Jeremiah Diaz for earning this honor and stepping up as leaders in our Brotherhood!
Brother of the Month
Brother Phoenix
10th Grade
Sometimes the greatest victories are quiet ones—and Phoenix's steady growth is something worth celebrating. Despite having a tough few years, Phoenix has been putting more focus into his academics, and his grades are gradually improving. He has also become more engaged in the program, showing greater effort and participation. His resilience and determination to keep moving forward, even when things are challenging, make him truly deserving of being recognized as our Brother of the Month!
Upcoming Events
Name | Date & Time | Description/Sign-up Link |
SAINT MARY’S COLLEGE TOUR | 4/2026 | Permission slips will be distributed in March |
IYT GRADUATION CELEBRATION | 5/2026 | IYT will be celebrating our senior graduates at a special banquet in their honor! Join us for an evening filled with food, recognition, and memorable moments as we celebrate their achievements and bright futures. |
Program Directory & Schedules
Program Manager: Melanie Friz
Phone: 209-600-3486
Merced High School
Programming Schedule: Mondays & Wednesdays (3:30 - 5:00pm) Room 517 Study Hall: Mondays & Wednesdays
Mentor & Parent Engagement (last month)
Number of Parent Engagement Sessions: | 79 |
Number of Mentor Sessions: | 79 |