While most kids grew up on cartoons, Cayden M. and twins Enoch and Emmanuel A. were watching something different.
For them, fun meant tuning into YouTube creators like Mark Rober and The Hacksmith, who turn engineering concepts into real-world builds.
They weren’t just watching. They were studying.
Today, that curiosity has turned into a major milestone. From a graduating class of just 118 students at Trinidad “Trini” Garza Early College High School, the three, along with their friend Natalie L., were accepted to the University of Texas at Austin’s Cockrell School of Engineering.
For years, the group grew up in the same classrooms, pushing each other to succeed.
“We’ve always had that same mindset,” Cayden, valedictorian, said. “Striving for excellence and pushing each other.”
For Emmanuel and salutatorian Enoch, that drive started early. Alongside Cayden, they built a bond rooted in both friendship and a shared expectation to perform at the highest level.
At Garza, that mindset found the right environment.
With small class sizes and a close-knit campus, students are never just another face in the crowd.
“The smaller community environment is irreplaceable,” Enoch said. “It gives you peace of mind and helps you focus on your goals.”
Garza also provided the opportunity for all four students to graduate with both ahigh school diploma and an associate’s degree, entering college with nearly two years of coursework already completed.
“It saves money, but it also gives us time,” Emmanuel said. “We can step into the workforce earlier and start gaining real experience.”
For Natalie, the moment carries additional meaning. As a first-generation college student, attending UT Austin represents more than a personal achievement.
“My family has always been big UT football fans,” she said. “Now I get to experience that in person after watching it on TV my whole life.”
The road to UT was not easy.
From long study sessions to balancing advanced coursework, the group describes their high school experience as a constant push to stay ahead.
Now, as they prepare to transition from a campus of 118 students to one of the largest universities in Texas, they say their time at Garza showed what’s possible when the right environment meets the right mindset.
They also go to UT Austin knowing they can lean on one another.
“That’s one of the biggest reasons I’m going,” Enoch said. “Having people you know keeps you grounded.”
