Matthew Mendoza

he/him

Class of

2022

Hey Cougars, I'm Matthew Mendoza, but you can call me Matt. I am a part of the class of 2022. I have Autism, but that won't stop me. Throughout my 4 years at EV, I grew from someone who only listened to someone who tries to participate and take things more seriously. I have valued education more and more as I grew older. I always believe there will be something to earn through every hardship.

If you could give your high school self a piece of advice, what would it be?

Please pay more attention in class and learn to control yourself.

Did you have any goals that pushed you throughout high school? How did you approach those? Are you still pursuing them now that you're out of high school? If not, why?

Goals are something I can't plan out way ahead. Life can change it. Like solving a problem, the answer isn't just laid out there. I need find what goals I really want, even if it looks like I do, like my major.

What experience had the greatest impact on you at EVHS?

Having Biology, French, Math, History and Government with Mr. Cheadle, Madame Baron, Mr. Cunningham, Mrs. Salzmann and Mr. Gonzalez gave me interesting outlooks on life, compared to other classes, where I mostly just learned. They helped me and I learned interesting things. Interactions with the students were really interesting and fun there too. Whether I was with them for 6 months or 4 years, their classes were memorable. Thank you, my teachers. I hope you're doing well, teaching, moved on or retired.

Have you kept some relationships with the people you were with in high school?

Every now and then, I talk and play online with a friend I knew since middle school. We had our own experiences at EV, but at lunch, we talked together about classes and other things. One day, he will have to focus more on his career and I will too. We may never see each other again after that. Cherish friendships.

Do you still live in San Jose? Why or why not?

I do not live in San Jose anymore. I moved out with my family to another place not far where the prices are a bit cheaper. Bay Area housing prices are so expensive, even if it's just rent. I may return one day.

What was your primary academic/extracurricular focus in high school?

I never had extracurricular things to do in High school. I encourage students to not miss out on it like me. They will help you.

Are you in college? If so, which college and what major? Are you working? If so, where? If you're not in either of these, what are you doing now?

Currently, I am in a community college called Gavilan in Gilroy, CA. As of this submission, I doing my Spring term and I am unemployed.