By Jeremiah Moore
Trinity Times Correspondent

For years, Jaasiel Chavez-Gutierrez has navigated two worlds at once – balancing high school and college coursework while also learning to thrive in a language that was not his own.

Now, after earning his associate degree May 16 from Trinity Washington University through the Early College Academy program, Chavez-Gutierrez is preparing for another milestone: his June 16 graduation from Washington’s Calvin Coolidge Senior High School.

“Living between two worlds, because English is not my first language,” he said. “Spanish is my first language.”

Despite the challenges of learning a second language while managing both high school and college academics, Chavez-Gutierrez said he found support through the relationships he built with classmates during the multi-year program.

“In a way, ECA for me means family because we are always there for each other and guide each other if we have questions.”

The Early College Academy is a dual enrollment program that allows students to spend the first half of their high school years at Coolidge and the latter half immersed in college coursework at Trinity. The program gives students the opportunity to accelerate their academic progress by earning an associate degree with 60 transferable college credits in addition to a high school diploma.

Before taking on her role as ECA coordinator at District of Columbia Public Schools, Symphoni Henry served as a college and career coordinator.

“I was responsible for helping students go to college and view other career opportunities, if necessary,” Henry said.

Her current role gives her additional resources to support students.

“Every day is different,” Henry said. “It just depends on what the needs are. I like to be a student-centered person. Some days it’s academic support, and some days they just need somebody to talk to because they are stressed out. Then I become more of a social emotional support, and then other times it’s me pulling staff from Coolidge and other places to see what other ways I can support kids.”

She wants students to recognize the long-term value of the program.

“Oftentimes once they complete the program, they are motivated to keep going, but you always have to keep them reminded you’re getting a leg up,” Henry told Trinity Times. “Trinity allows you to stay if you want to continue to get your bachelor’s degree at Trinity, or you can potentially take some of the credits you earned through the early college program and potentially transfer them to another college or university. So, it positions you in a space where you are able to do things based upon your interest goals and what you want to do.”

Her goal is to help students recognize their intellectual potential while supporting them through the demands of an accelerated curriculum. 

The program’s support system – including family members, staff and classmates – helps students succeed in both college and high school before graduating, Henry said.

That support proved important for Chavez-Gutierrez as he adjusted to the college environment over the years.

“The people in the program, such as the coordinator Ms. Henry, they are always there for any question you have,” he said, “whether you feel bad or sad, just know you can talk to them about it.”

The relationships and confidence Chavez-Gutierrez developed through the program also strengthened his ability to advocate for himself.

“If you never ask your professor about an opportunity, you will never know,” he said. “They are like a resource for you.”

Chavez-Gutierrez said he is eager for the next stage of his academic journey, telling Trinity Times he is set to attend The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, to pursue a bachelor’s degree on a full scholarship through The Posse Foundation.

Steven Alverez Martinez, a 2025 Trinity ECA graduate who now attends Georgetown University, said family support and discipline helped shape his success.

“Discipline has played a huge factor in my family as a whole,” Alverez Martinez said. “They have just been very driven people, so they really pushed me not only this program, but continuing to go to college even after ECA.”

The transition to his junior year in college was easier because of his experience in the ECA program.

“Being in a different environment compared to Trinity,” Alverez Martinez said, “has really helped me excel and not fall behind compared to my peers who did not experience the program.”