Worcester Tech graduate is honored as city's first ever US Presidential Scholar

WORCESTER — Alijandro Ian Mendoza thought he would be one of many honored at a Wednesday event at his alma mater, Worcester Technical High School.

However, when he saw the smaller audience size and a flag that included the Filipino flag design, he felt something was up.

"It was a big shock. My parents, my family, they did a good job," Mendoza said.

It makes sense that Mendoza, 19, would catch on that he was taking part in a surprise recognition solely for him; he is the only Worcester high school graduate known to the city to have received the honor of U.S. Presidential Scholar.

Mendoza, who studies physics at Columbia University, was one of five Massachusetts students to be named Presidential Scholars last year and one of two Massachusetts scholars in career and technical education.

Mendoza, who was born and raised in Worcester, is a first-generation college student along with his twin sister, Sarah May. His family emigrated from the Philippines.

Mendoza was valedictorian of his graduating class at Worcester Tech. He is a QuestBridge scholar who is attending Columbia on a full ride.

Crystal Auger, department head of biotechnology at Worcester Tech who recruited Mendoza to her program when he first came to Worcester Tech, said that during Mendoza's junior year of high school, he was part of a three-person team that received a national gold medal from SkillsUSA, a career and technical student organization, for developing a website that dispelled myths about COVID-19.

The Wednesday event in Worcester Tech's conference room was attended by Mendoza's friends and family as well as his former teachers.

In a prerecorded video, retired Forest Grove Middle School teacher Paul King recalled Mendoza entering Forest Grove as a meek and respectful seventh grader who would go on to make valuable contributions to classes.

"As he progressed in his middle school career, we learned very quickly that when he spoke, it was worth listening," King said. "He volunteered. He asked questions. He was never the one to leave the classroom without an understanding of the concepts."

Sarah May said her brother has worked hard for himself and his family, and she joked that having him as a twin meant having an automatic person to point fingers at growing up.

"Having him as my twin brother is like having a built-in best friend," Sarah May said. "Part of that is being able to see each other grow into the people we are today. And part of that is also having someone to blame when things go wrong."

Mayor Joseph M. Petty presented Mendoza with a key to the city. A staffer in the office of state Sen. Robyn Kennedy of Worcester gave him a state citation commemorating his presidential scholarship.

Petty said more than 5,000 students nationwide qualified for presidential scholar in Mendoza's graduating year and 161 were chosen.

"This milestone is not only significant for yourself and your family. You have single-handedly placed Worcester on the map for its high-quality scholars," Petty said.

Mendoza said he felt honored to represent his community and for the sacrifices his parents made.

"It's great to represent my city and also my family," Mendoza said. "When I first got nominated it was like, 'Whoa, this is the biggest award.' And when I finally got it, it was really a surprise."

Mendoza said going to New York City to attend Columbia has been an adjustment, both academically and in moving to the bustling city, but he feels like he was well prepared with his education in Worcester.

While his immediate plans are to enjoy spending some time back in Worcester, Mendoza has tentative goals of getting more into physics research, eventually getting his doctorate and entering academia.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester honors Alijandro Mendoza, its first US Presidential Scholar