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    Photos: Valedictorians and top scholars for Orange County’s Class of 2024
    • May 30, 2024

    Name: Laci Armenta —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Brea Olinda High School —
    GPA: 3.8 —
    High School Activities or Groups: I have been apart of ASB for 4 years and have gladly served as ASB president this past year. I have also had the honor of being in Link Crew my last 2 years in high school. —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Going to SDSU —
    Career Goal: Become an elementary school teacher —
    Parents: Amanda Armenta

    Name: Angel Perez
    Age: 18
    High school: Capistrano Valley High School
    GPA: 4.5
    High School Activities or Groups: Theater
    Cross country
    After Graduation/College Plans:
    Career Goal:
    Parents: Angelica Montoya

    Name: Aeneas Mires
    Age: 18
    High school: Servite High School
    GPA: 4.85
    High School Activities or Groups: Varsity Soccer D1 Champion and D2 Regional Champion 2024
    Vice President of Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica
    President of Spanish Club
    Key Club
    North OC Latino Community Medicine Project
    Prior for Priory Leadership Council
    After Graduation/College Plans: UCLA (undergraduate studies) with the intent to go to medical school
    Career Goal: Doctor
    Parents: Ashley Mires (Father), Marlene Mires (Mother)

    Name: James Lopez —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Troy High School —
    GPA: 4.7381 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Marching Band, Cross Country, Track and Field, Make-A-Wish Foundation Chapter at Troy High School —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Carnegie Mellon University —
    Career Goal: Mechanical Engineer —
    Parents: Elva Lopez, Gary Lopez

    Name: Camille Oteyza —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Esperanza High School —
    GPA: 4.86 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Competitive fencing, founder and president of the Chess Club, National Honor Society President, AP Capstone Candidate, Biotechnology Camp at Fullerton College, Pediatric Oncology Shadowing at CHOC, volunteering at LifeStream Blood Bank —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attend Johns Hopkins University in the fall to pursue a major in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. —
    Career Goal: Physician —
    Parents: Raul and Kimberly Oteyza

    Name: Audrey Nguyen —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Trabuco Hills High School —
    GPA: 4.8 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Boy Scouts of America, Certificate of Merit Piano, Ceramics Club, Art Club —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attending UC Irvine as a biological sciences major —
    Career Goal: Clinical geneticist —
    Parents: Lilyan Nguyen and Thomas Nguyen

    Name: Arya Darvish —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: El Dorado High School —
    GPA: 4.0 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Science Olympiad, Academic Worldquest, Tennis, Science For Kids Club —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attending UCLA to study Middle Eastern Studies —
    Career Goal: Work in foreign policy or national security —
    Parents: Parvaneh and Abdolreza Darvish

    Name: Aqilla Ikrar
    Age: 18
    High school: Trabuco Hills High School
    GPA: 4.65
    High School Activities or Groups: National Honors Society President, Southeast Asian Club Founder and President (98 active members, follow @thhsseac!), French Club Co-President, PreMed Club President, Varsity Volleyball and Varsity Track & Field since sophomore year, full IB program & APs —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Coming into Colby College with a full-ride academic scholarship as a Questbridge Scholar and two scholarships, Bunche Scholar & Colby Achievement Program in the Sciences scholar. Planning to study and major in Neuroscience. —
    Career Goal: Study neurobiological side of mental health, like how dopamine is processed in the ventral tegmental area, in order to hopefully follow my biggest aspiration of becoming a TedTalk speaker, instilling confidence & motivation in society through neuroscience —
    Parents: Elfi & Taruna Ikrar

    Name: Anthony Wu —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: San Clemente High School —
    GPA: 4.9 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Debate Team/Class, Ping-Pong Club —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Economics at UCLA or Berkeley; Interested in Investing/Real Estate, Criminology/Detective work —
    Career Goal: Uncertain —
    Parents: Zhen Wu, Meijing Zhang

    Name: Annabelle Deng —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Trabuco Hills —
    GPA: 5.09 —
    High School Activities or Groups: IB Diploma Candidate
    Varsity Swim Team (4 years)
    Red Cross Club
    Kaiser Permanente Volunteer
    Irvine Chinese School Staff Assistant
    California Scholarship Federation
    Chemistry Olympiad
    UCI Summer Surgery Program —
    After Graduation/College Plans: UCLA with microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics major on the pre-med track —
    Career Goal: Eye doctor —
    Parents: Yong Deng & Victoria Han

    Name: Angelina Risnoveanu
    Age: 17
    High school: Orange Lutheran High School
    GPA: 4.8
    High School Activities or Groups: STEM Pathway member, Humanities Pathway member, Visual Arts Pathway member, Ambassador
    After Graduation/College Plans: I plan to attend Cornell University with an academic focus in astronomy and physics.
    Career Goal: I have not decided if I will pursue a research or industry career, but I hope to commit to a career related to astrophysics.
    Parents: Liana and Julian Risnoveanu

    Name: Amelia Beeny —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Trabuco Hills High School —
    GPA: 4.6 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Track and Field, Cross Country, Girl Scouts, Red Cross Club, Key Club, National Honors Society, California Scholarship Federation, Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society, UNICEF Club, YANA club, Piano, AP Scholar with Distinction —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attending UC Davis to study Genetics and Genomics —
    Career Goal: Genetic Counselor —
    Parents: Catherine and Steven Beeny

    Name: Alexander Chao —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Brea Olinda High School —
    GPA: 4.6 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Dancecapade, ASB, Yearbook, NHS, Key Club, Mock Trial, Model United Nations, HTA, Chinese Club —
    After Graduation/College Plans: UCLA for Biology —
    Career Goal: Neonatologist —
    Parents: Andy Chao and Jean Huang

    Name: Ryan Zwatschka —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Trabuco Hills High School —
    GPA: —
    High School Activities or Groups: International Baccalaureate Scholar, California State Seal of Biliteracy – German, AP Scholar with Distinction, National German Honor Society – President, National Honor Society, Track & Field (Varsity), Chapman University – Chemistry Research Assistant —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Neuroscience Major, Pre-Medicine —
    Career Goal: Anesthesiologist —
    Parents: Sheryl & Uwe Zwatschka

    Name: Alannah Batty
    Age: 18
    High school: Orange Lutheran High School
    GPA: 4.71
    High School Activities or Groups: Ambassadors Vice President of Faith, Honors Choir, Honors Women’s Choir, Bel Canto, Vocal Jazz, Creative Worship, Visual Media Arts Deeper Learning Pathway, Cross Country, Track, Teen Advisory Board Yorba Linda Public Library —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attending Concordia University Irvine, member of the Honors Program, Presidential Scholar, Concordia Choir, Business Major with an emphasis in Marketing, Music Minor, Graphic Design Minor
    Career Goal:
    Parents: William and Katherine Batty

    Name: Aimee Ferrer
    Age: 17
    High school: Mission Viejo High School
    GPA: 3.85
    High School Activities or Groups: ASB President (has been in ASB for 4 years), varsity lacrosse, Chamber Choir, (been in the program 3 years), Waves Club President, Oceans Church, volleyball
    After Graduation/College Plans: Double Enroll at Oceans College and Saddleback College, where she’ll grow as a Christian Leader in Business and Psychology. Pursuing a Real Estate license and career
    Career Goal: CEO of Real Estate Brokerage and serving the Kingdom of God within worship and ministry
    Parents: Omega & Ronald Ferrer

    Name: Aimee Bui
    Age: 17
    High school: Magnolia High School
    GPA: 4.5
    High School Activities or Groups: Key Club President, OCDE Cybersecurity Intern, AIME Kindset Online Presence/E-commerce Intern, VSA vice President —
    After Graduation/College Plans: University of California San Diego
    Career Goal: Nano engineering
    Parents: Nga Bùi and Tam Bùi

    Name: Abubakr Elmallah
    Age: 18
    High school: Trabuco Hills
    GPA: 5.0973
    High School Activities or Groups: School Tennis Team
    Developed 5 iOS Apps
    Muslim Student Association President
    Islamic Center of Irvine volunteer
    NHS and CSF Club Member
    OCACS First Year Test 1st Place
    After Graduation/College Plans: Computer Science Masters at UCI
    Career Goal: Software Engineer
    Parents: Mohamed Elmallah and Nesrin Mohamed

    Name: Abby Peterson
    Age: 18
    High school: Trabuco Hills High School
    GPA: 4.8
    High School Activities or Groups: 4 Year Varsity Tennis
    (Team Captain senior year)
    Member of Best Buddies Program, President of Unified Sports
    After Graduation/College Plans: Will be attending Penn State University in the Fall
    Career Goal: Working with Developmentally Disabled
    Parents: Keli and Trent Peterson

    Name: Aarón Martínez Sandoval
    Age: 17
    High school: Richland High School
    GPA:
    High School Activities or Groups:
    Career Goal: Enlist in United States Army

    Name: Zya Fees —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Mission Viejo High School —
    GPA: 4.97 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Founder of Girls Deserve: provided feminine products to girls in Kenya. Implemented a tutoring program. Planned a blooddrive with UCI, saved 135 lives. President of CSF and Science Olympiad. Varsity Soccer Captain. AP Scholar with distinction. —
    After Graduation/College Plans: UCLA: Statistics and Data Science Major —
    Career Goal: Data Analyst —
    Parents: Marychris Fees and Scott Fees

    Name: Alberto Avalos
    Age: 18
    High school: Orange High School
    GPA: 4.76
    High School Activities or Groups: 7 years of altar serving at Christ Cathedral
    2 years of being in NHS
    1 year of being in Cross Country and Tennis
    2 years of participating in research at Chapman University
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attend UCLA to study either Chemistry or Chemical Engineering
    Career Goal: Become a pharmacist or chemical engineer
    Parents: Alma G Avalos & Carlos A Avalos

    Name: Michael Khanoyan —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: El Toro High School —
    GPA: 4.8 —
    High School Activities or Groups: – Associated Student Body (ASB President, Junior Class President, Sophomore Class President, Freshmen Class Representative).
    – AP Capstone
    – CSF
    – Key Club
    – Basketball (Freshmen and Sophomore Year Only: was Sophomore Team Captain and MVP) —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attend UC Berkeley —
    Career Goal: Complete medical school to become a doctor —
    Parents: Liana Khanoyan and Karo Khanoyan

    Name: Zhaosen Qu —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Troy High School —
    GPA: 4.8511 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Internship at Caltech Space Radiation Lab —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attend Johns Hopkins University to study electrical engineering —
    Career Goal: Enter the engineering industry after obtaining a graduate degree —
    Parents: Cathy, Haining

    Name: Zachary Niu —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Brea Olinda High School —
    GPA: 4.800 —
    High School Activities or Groups: CSUF Research under Dr. Anael Verdugo
    Brea Museum Youth Liaison
    BOHS Tea Club President & Founder
    BOHS Red Cross Club Vice President
    BOHS Spanish Club Event Organizer
    BOHS UNICEF Club —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Currently commited to UC Irvine —
    Career Goal: Researcher, Data Scientist —
    Parents: Mun Chit Kok and Emile Niu

    Name: Vanson Vu
    Age: 17
    High School: Marina HS
    GPA: 4.77
    HS activities or groups: National Merit Scholarship Winner, HEARTSafe Initiative Inaugural Ambassador for Huntington Beach Fire Department, American Youth Soccer Organization Regional Referee, Vietnamese Cultural Center Teacher Assitant, Social Assistance Program for Vietnam Medical Mission volunteer, CDA Slammers Football Club ECRL, Medical Career Club Founder and President, Science National Honors Society Co-President, Marina Math Club Vice President, National Honors Society, CSF, Varsity Soccer, Varsity Track, 2024 CIFSS Division 2 Qualifier for 100M & 200M.
    After Graduation/College Plans: Health and Human Biology at Brown University
    Career Goal: Become a doctor specializing in sports medicine or reconstructive surgery
    Parents: Dr. Van H. Vu, MD (father) & Huong Vu (mother)

    Name: Tristan Lowe —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Trabuco Hills —
    GPA: 4.5 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Varsity Lacrosse
    ASB —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Study Data Science at SJSU —
    Career Goal: Work in Silicon Valley —
    Parents: Mike and Trish Lowe

    Name: Tristan Bassett —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Trabuco Hills High School —
    GPA: 4.57 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Varsity Lacrosse —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attending Colby College to play Lacrosse —
    Career Goal: Data Analyst —
    Parents: Eric and Lori Bassett

    Name: Travis Bentley —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Trabuco Hills High School —
    GPA: 4.5 —
    High School Activities or Groups: I currently ride horses and compete in the western equestrian sport called reining, where I have won multiple championships. I’m also a part of the yearbook editor team at Trabuco Hills High School. —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attending University of California, Davis (UC Davis) for animal science —
    Career Goal: Veterinarian —
    Parents: Christine Bentley (mother) and Marc Bentley (father)

    Name: Tonantzin Lavenant-Hayward —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: California Preparatory Academy —
    GPA: 4.67 —
    High School Activities or Groups: The founder of Minorities in Medicine club. The founder of a nonprofit, Strings4Hearts. Member of school orchestra. Decathlon and Model United Nations member. Medical assistant certified. —
    After Graduation/College Plans: University of California Irvine —
    Career Goal: Biochemist, medical researcher —
    Parents: Claudia Lavenant and Craig Hayward

    Name: Thomas Kaufman —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: La Habra High School —
    GPA: 5.0 —
    High School Activities or Groups: 4 year La Habra Baseball member, AP Heritage pathway, President of Key Club, National Honors Society Life Member, and Co-Founder of STEM Club —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attend Stanford University —
    Career Goal: Financial Analyst —
    Parents: Russ and Sylvia Kaufman

    Name: Tanya Vidhun —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Valencia High School —
    GPA: —
    High School Activities or Groups: Varsity Tennis, Orchestra, Girl Up Club, Science Olympiad, Chemistry Olympiad —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Harvard University —
    Career Goal: Medicine —

    Name: Tan Van Trong Nguyen —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Santiago High School —
    GPA: 4.55 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Friday Night Live (FNL) Secretary, California Scholarship Federation (CSF) Secretary, National Honors Society (NHS) Treasurer, Rho Kappa Membership Coordinator/Publicist, VSA and CHOC member. —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attending Vanderbilt University —
    Career Goal: Analytical Chemist —
    Parents: Yen Nguyen and Tung Nguyen

    Name: Susan Aguilar —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Loara High School —
    GPA: 4.33 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Band, Drum Major, National Honor Society, AVID, Student Academy of Musical Leaders (SAML), Margarett Paulin Memorial T-Pattern Champion —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Cal State University Fullerton, Music Education —
    Career Goal: Band Director/ Elementary School Teacher —
    Parents: Blanca Bahena and Gregorio Aguilar

    Name: Sue Oh —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Sunny Hills High School —
    GPA: (W)4.7&4.0 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Education Policy Director (CA Assoc of Student Councils (CASC))
    Chief of Policy and Legislation (GENup)
    State Student Board Member (CA PTA)
    Starbucks Barista
    State Policy Director (CAHSD)
    Volunteer & Intern at Crittenton
    ASB
    Speech and Debate Pres. —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Barnard College of Columbia University —
    Career Goal: Lawyer or Diplomat —

    Name: Su Bin Park —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Sunny Hills High School —
    GPA: 4.81 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Writers Alliance Founder/President, Solarium Literary Magazine Founder/Head Editor, Science Olympiad, Author of Preserved in Pavement (Poetry Book), Lion’s Heart Volunteer, Math/English Tutor, National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Cornell University with intent to major in Chemistry —
    Career Goal: Chemical research and development with a concentration in alternative energy and sustainability —
    Parents: Yoon-Seo Park, Woo-Jung Hwang

    Name: Steven Pettit —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Trabuco Hills High School —
    GPA: 4.4 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Varsity Swim
    AP Classes
    German Club
    Airsoft Club Leader
    20+ Hours a week working at Irvine Spectrum —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attending IVC to Transfer into a UC school —
    Career Goal: Computer Science —
    Parents: John Pettit, Martha Pettit

    Name: Stephanie Franks —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Brea Olinda High School —
    GPA: 4.6 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Gusher Yearbook
    BOHS Swim Team
    Intern at Veterinary Surgical Specialists
    Link Crew —
    After Graduation/College Plans: UC Davis to study Animal Science —
    Career Goal: Veterinarian —
    Parents: Steve and Deirdre Franks

    Name: Sofia de Lucia —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Mater Dei High School —
    GPA: 4.7 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Monarch Television (Monarch Sports), Campus Ministry, varsity basketball athlete, ASB (Freshmen Class President and Head Scarlet Ambassador), Girls and Boys State, Mater Dei Special Games, Monarch Connection, Peer Tutoring. Announced as valedictorian. —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attending UCLA —
    Career Goal: Attorney/Lawyer or Sports Broadcaster —
    Parents: Erin de Lucia and Carlo de Lucia

    Name: Shrika Andhe —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Valencia High School —
    GPA: —
    High School Activities or Groups: Basketball – 4 years
    Created Hoops and Coders program with my friend where we taught young girls the basics of computer science and basketball
    Boeing High School Internship
    TAAL Club
    SASA Club
    CITE Club —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attending UCLA and majoring in Computer Science Engineering —
    Career Goal: —
    Parents: Vamsheekher Andhe, Archana Andhe

    Name: Sebastian Banares —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Trabuco Hills High School —
    GPA: 4.5745 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Red Cross Club, CSF, Church Youth Leader —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Committed to Cal Poly Pomona, majoring in mechanical engineering —
    Career Goal: Gain a lot of experience in mechanical engineering and other engineering fields to start a business —
    Parents: Berwin and Joyce Banares

    Name: Sara Yoo —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Brea Olinda High School —
    GPA: 4.6 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Yearbook, Varsity Volleyball —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Study Pre-Applied Mathematics at UCSB —

    Name: Sanam Punjabi —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Canyon High School —
    GPA: 5.0 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Varsity tennis, ASB, Canyon Indian Club, Canyon United Way —
    After Graduation/College Plans: University of Miami —
    Career Goal: Work in finance at a corporate firm —
    Parents: Henna & Dilip Punjabi

    Name: Samantha Vega —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Orange High School —
    GPA: 4.74 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Red Cross, NHS, and Simon-Orange Chapman STEM Scholars —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attend Chapman University (Biology Major) —
    Career Goal: Become a neurosurgeon —
    Parents: Beatriz González

    Name: Samantha Stacer —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Sonora High School —
    GPA: 4.9 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Varsity (all 4 years) Swim, Captain (3 years)
    CIF Swimmer Finalist
    CIF Cross Country Finalist
    Club Swim (Brea Aquatics)
    National Honors Society Member
    International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate
    School Site Council Student Representative —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Study MCD (molecular, cell, & developmental) Biology at UCLA —
    Career Goal: Orthopedic Surgeon —
    Parents: Scott & Donna Stacer

    Name: Ryder Yim Hsieh —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Troy High School —
    GPA: 4.78 —
    High School Activities or Groups: NJROTC, FBLA, Mock Trial, CyberPatriot, CSF —
    After Graduation/College Plans: UCI —
    Career Goal: Corporate Law —
    Parents: Tina Hsieh, Brian Hsieh

    Name: Ryan Chia
    Age: 17
    High school: El Dorado High School
    GPA: 4.95
    High School Activities or Groups: Varsity Volleyball, Boy Scouts of America, National Honor Society, CSF
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attend UCLA to study life sciences
    Career Goal: Pursue a career in medicine
    Parents: Tommy Chia and Jennifer Chia

    Name: Ruth Nguyen —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Savanna High School —
    GPA: 4.45 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Savanna High School Student Ambassador, RSVP President, ASB Leadership, —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attend UC San Diego —
    Career Goal: Chemical Engineer —
    Parents: Tuan and Mytho Nguyen

    Name: Rohaan Trivedi —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Canyon High School —
    GPA: 5.0150 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Food Drive Organization, Mock Trial, Junior State of America, International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate, International Legal Support Internships, Debate Instructor —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attend UCLA, Attend Law School —
    Career Goal: Become a practicing attorney in a transactional legal field —
    Parents: Mona Pal, Shaun Trivedi

    Name: Robin Hull —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Sonora High School —
    GPA: 4.8 —
    High School Activities or Groups: International Baccalaureate Program, National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation, Youth Leadership Academy, Best Buddies, Volunteer at PIH Health, Volunteer at One Love Animal Shelter —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Majoring in Biochemistry on the Pre-medical track at UCLA —
    Career Goal: Cardiologist —
    Parents: Alec Hull and Angelica Delgadillo

    Name: Reagan Hsu —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Troy —
    GPA: 4.8478 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Peer Tutoring Club (President)
    USA Computing Olympiad Club (President)
    Varsity Boys Volleyball (Captain)
    PMBMC (Best Poster Presenter) & SCCUR Conferences —
    After Graduation/College Plans: UCSD Computer Science —
    Career Goal: Software Engineering at Google —
    Parents: Jack Hsu, Suyen Wu

    Name: Radiyah Ahmed —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Sunny Hills High School —
    GPA: 4.0 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Co-founder of SHHS IRC Action Club
    Vice-President Breast Cancer Awareness Club
    Regional Senator for SoCal JSA
    Supreme Court Justice at ALA CA Girls State 2023
    3 years of SHHS Cross Country, Soccer, and Track and Field —
    After Graduation/College Plans: I plan on completing my Bachelor’s degree for International Business at UC San Diego. —
    Career Goal: I hope to one day become an environmental lawyer. —
    Parents: Waseem and Roshana Ahmed

    Name: Rachel Pham —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: La Quinta High School —
    GPA: 4.52 —
    High School Activities or Groups: President of California Scholarship Federation, President of American Heart Association, Secretary of Math Club, Secretary of FINS. Member of National Honor Society, Robotics Club, and more. Previously on Girl’s Volleyball, Swim, and Water Polo team. —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Will attend UC Irvine with a major in Computer Science —
    Career Goal: Ethical hacker or software engineer —
    Parents: Nghia Pham and Thuhong Nguyen

    Name: Pratima Reddy Nallapareddy —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Trabuco Hills High School —
    GPA: 5.144 —
    High School Activities or Groups: International Baccalaureate
    Girls Who Code
    Robotics
    Cyberpatriot
    National Honors Society
    California Scholarship Federation
    Spanish Honors Society
    Rho Kappa —
    After Graduation/College Plans: I plan on going to UC Santa Barbara and majoring in computer science. —
    Career Goal: Get a Masters in computer science and gain a high paying job. —
    Parents: Rajitha Nallapareddy, Srinivasa Nallapareddy

    Name: Phillip Nguyen —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Bolsa Grande High School —
    GPA: 4.43 —
    High School Activities or Groups: – Alumni Representative of the U.S. Department of State’s National Security Language Initiative for Youth
    – Vice President of high school’s California Scholarship Federation Club
    – Vice President of high school’s United Nations Children’s Fund Club —
    After Graduation/College Plans: University of Pennsylvania, planning to double major in Political Science and History —
    Career Goal: I hope to pursue a diplomatic career in the U.S. Foreign Service, become a lawyer, or work at an international nongovernmental organization (NGO) one day. —
    Parents: Tai Nguyen and Sally Tran

    Name: Pamela Pedraza-Hernandez —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Mission Viejo High School —
    GPA: —
    High School Activities or Groups: Yearbook, Volunteer at the Shay Center —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Saddleback for Nursing —
    Career Goal: Nursing —
    Parents: Lenny Hernandez Fernando Pedraza

    Name: Om Darji —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Trabuco Hills High School —
    GPA: 4.97 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Writer, director, and star of 2023’s one-act play “Magic Jamboree”
    Founder and President of Magic Club
    Co-President of Architecture Club —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Om will be attending UCLA. —
    Career Goal: Themed entertainment design. —
    Parents: Shreyas and Alpna Darji

    Name: Natalie La —
    High school: Capistrano Valley High School —
    GPA: 4.92 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Mandarin immersion program —
    After Graduation/College Plans: UCLA —
    Career Goal: —
    Parents: Beverly Chu, Kevin La

    Name: Minseong Park —
    Age: 19 —
    High school: Troy High School —
    GPA: 3.98 —
    High School Activities or Groups: iExplore Vice President, Young Composer’s Society Treasurer —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attend UCLA as an Applied Math major, continue to grad school —
    Career Goal: Looking to become a data scientist or a professor —
    Parents: Siyoung Song, Namju Park

    Name: Mina Yang —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Trabuco Hills High School —
    GPA: 4.4633 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Athletic:
    Competitive Dance (Hip-Hop)
    Academic:
    President – AFA CyberPatriot
    Competitor – Science Olympiad
    Service:
    Founding Member – Building Youth Charitable Foundation
    Member – NHS, CSF, Key Club —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Biochemistry at University of California San Diego —

    Name: Melanie Hui —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: San Juan Hills High School —
    GPA: 5.0 —
    High School Activities or Groups: played violin in Chamber Orchestra, played in the pit orchestra of school musicals, art student at Atelier: Creative Art Studio for 11 years, assistant teaching younger art classes at the same studio for 6 years —
    After Graduation/College Plans: I’m planning on attending UCLA to study Psychology. —
    Career Goal: —
    Parents: Peggy and Stephen Hui

    Name: Megan Martinez —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Rosary Academy —
    GPA: 4.86 —
    High School Activities or Groups: President and Founder of only All-Female Model United Nations Team, Captain of Royal Rebel Robotics Tea-attended the World Championships, Founder of Royals in STEM, President of Science National Honors Society, Varsity Dance Team (4)&Captain for two years —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attending Harvard University to pursue a Government and Applied Mathematics concentration , I will participate and continue to lead service outreach organizations and explore the field of International Relations —
    Career Goal: I want to impact the lives of the global community through an interconnected outlook through both government and the stem fields. I want to serve as the President of the United States in order to offer greater opportunities for the next generation. —
    Parents: Lorena Martinez and Frank Gomez

    Name: Matthew Dao —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Capistrano Valley —
    GPA: 4.72 —
    High School Activities or Groups: ASB
    Baseball —
    After Graduation/College Plans: UCSD —
    Career Goal: —
    Parents: Steve, Nina

    Name: Marcos Javier Banda —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Richland High School —
    GPA: 3.24 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Member of Leadership class and Ryla+ —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attend Santiago Canyon College —
    Career Goal: Major in Graphic Design and Business —
    Parents: Roy and Dinora Banda

    Name: Manasi Narsina —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Troy High School —
    GPA: 4.75 —
    High School Activities or Groups: South Asian Student Association, Robotics —
    After Graduation/College Plans: UC Berkeley Biology track —
    Career Goal: Pharmaceutical sciences —

    Name: Lindsey Beth Johnson —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Trabuco Hills High School —
    GPA: 4.72 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Varsity Basketball, Chamber Choir, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Best Buddies, CSF, —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attend Baylor University, Business Fellows Honors Program —
    Career Goal: International Business Major, Pre-Law —
    Parents: Erik and Kimberly Johnson

    Name: Lauren Gao —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Troy High School —
    GPA: —
    High School Activities or Groups: Troy NJROTC, Orienteering and Marksmanship; Troy STEMUp4Youth; CYSO youth orchestra; Girl Scouts —
    After Graduation/College Plans: I will be attending UCLA and majoring in biology. —
    Career Goal: Something in the field of biology – currently exploring pharmacy and marine veterinary medicine. —

    Name: Kiarra Stewart —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Trabuco Hills —
    GPA: 4.53 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Cross Country
    Track and Field
    Film (student films)
    Red Cross
    Best Buddies
    YANA —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attend UCSB —
    Career Goal: unknown —
    Parents: Lissette Cuevas

    Name: Kayla Ham —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Trabuco Hills High School —
    GPA: 4.7 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Fashion Club President
    French Honor Society Co-President
    French Club Co-President
    National Honor Society
    California Scholarship Federation —
    After Graduation/College Plans: After graduating, I plan on majoring in business and expanding my knowledge of the business world. —
    Career Goal: I would like to pursue a career in business which incorporates travel and fashion. —
    Parents: Erin Ham, Hans Ham

    Name: Katie Larson —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Sunny Hills High School —
    GPA: 4.9 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Diving, International Baccalaureate, IRC Action Club, Rotary Top 100 —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attend Georgia Tech and major in aerospace engineering —
    Career Goal: become aerospace engineer —
    Parents: Amy Larson and Kris Larson

    Name: Katie Bui —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Trabuco Hills High School —
    GPA: 4.86 —
    High School Activities or Groups: cross country and track
    NHS, Key Club, Red Cross, YANA
    After Graduation/College Plans: I will be attending UCLA in the fall and I will be majoring in biochemistry on the pre-med track —
    Career Goal: I want to become a doctor (not sure what specific field yet) —
    Parents: Chi Tran and Long Bui

    Name: Jaxon Bach —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Foothill High School in Santa Ana —
    GPA: 4.76 —
    High School Activities or Groups: ASB Video tech commissioner, member of serving advantage, Captain of Varsity tennis, founder of service club Operation Be Kind. International Baccalaureate program candidate —
    After Graduation/College Plans: UCLA Math/economics major —
    Career Goal: Anywhere in finance field —
    Parents: Father Jacob Bach and mother Lyndi Bach

    Name: Jingwen Zheng —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Troy High School —
    GPA: 3.90 —
    High School Activities or Groups: —
    After Graduation/College Plans: —
    Career Goal: Electrical Engineer

    Name: Jiya Patel —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Canyon High School —
    GPA: 5.1 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Orange Unified School District Student Board Member, Associated Student Body (ASB), Spreading Kindness Club President, Indian Club Co-President, Canyon Ambassador —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attending the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley. —
    Career Goal: Start my own business —
    Parents: Manish and Bela Patel

    Name: Julia Globisz —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Esperanza High School —
    GPA: 4.85 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Chess Club (sophomore year) —
    After Graduation/College Plans: I am going to UCLA, and will be majoring in Biochemistry. After college, I will attend medical school, but I am not sure which one specifically. —
    Career Goal: Neurosurgeon —
    Parents: Beata and Jan Globisz

    Name: Julia Olminkhof —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Trabuco Hills High School —
    GPA: 4.47 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Orange County Academic Decathlon (Varsity Level), German Honors Society —
    After Graduation/College Plans: University of Leiden (The Netherlands) for International Bachelor in Psychology —
    Career Goal: Forensic Psychology/International Relations —
    Parents: Tresia Olminkhof, Jos Olminkhof

    Name: Kaitlyn Wu —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Yorba Linda High School —
    GPA: 4.67 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Varsity Song Team Captain
    Orchestra
    Science Olympiad
    Lab Medicine 101 Club Secretary
    National Merit Finalist —
    After Graduation/College Plans: I am going to UCLA majoring in chemical engineering —
    Career Goal: Get my PhD in Chemical Engineering and become a cosmetic chemist —
    Parents: Gary and Tammy Wu

    Name: Jaimie Chun —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Sunny Hills High School —
    GPA: 4.7 —
    High School Activities or Groups: I was the editor-in-chief of my high school publication, The Accolade. Another meaningful activity was the Holos Project in which I met with students living in Ukraine to write about their experiences amid the war. —
    After Graduation/College Plans: I will be attending Northwestern University as a journalism and international studies major. —
    Career Goal: I hope to become either a foreign correspondent or lawyer. Regardless of what path I take though, I want to be in a position that helps me contribute to post-conflict development in disputed territories abroad through journalism or law. —
    Parents: Su Kim and Kiwoo Chun

    Name: Isaree Jina Sirivatanarat —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Troy High School —
    GPA: 4.76 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Troy High School Yearbook —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a Business Administration major —
    Career Goal: Corporate Lawyer —
    Parents: Nan Sirivatanarat, James Sirivatanarat

    Name: Isaiah Jung —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Fullerton Union High School —
    GPA: 4.72 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Speech & Debate
    Model UN
    Jesus Club
    Full IB Diploma —
    After Graduation/College Plans: School: USC; Major: Political Science —
    Career Goal: Prosecutor specializing in violent crimes —
    Parents: Jennifer Jung; Nam Jung

    Name: Hannah Joyal —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Trabuco Hills High School —
    GPA: 4.565 —
    High School Activities or Groups: I enjoyed leading and participating in Société Honoraire de Français, French Club, ASB, Best Buddies, Advanced Treble Choir, Good News Club, CSF, Cross Country, and serving in my church’s kids ministry with Awanas. —
    After Graduation/College Plans: I will be attending California Baptist University to study Diagnostic Medical Sonography and minor in Christian Studies. —
    Career Goal: I desire to work as an Ultrasound Technician. Working with the physicians, I will provide exemplary healthcare for mothers and their babies, ensuring they are cared for throughout pregnancy and that potential problems may be identified early on. —
    Parents: Ovid and Susan Joyal

    Name: Garrett Garcia —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Parkview School —
    GPA: 4.37 —
    High School Activities or Groups: National Honor Society – President
    Student Cite Council – President
    Student Body – Vice President
    Theater
    Yearbook —
    After Graduation/College Plans: California Baptist University – Health Science (Pre-Medicine) —
    Career Goal: Physician —
    Parents: David & Vanessa Garcia

    Name: Everett Anderson —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Valencia —
    GPA: 4.68 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Tech Team leader, jazz-funk fusion club player, Chemistry Olympiad competitor, National Honor Society president, rock climber, SAT/STEM tutor —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Studying astrophysics at UC Berkeley —
    Career Goal: Cosmology Researcher —
    Parents: Bryan Anderson, April Anderson

    Eunnie Wu —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Aliso Niguel High School —
    GPA: 4.9 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Girls swim team, Newspaper, California Scholarship Federation, National Honors Society, job at a tutoring center, President of a volunteering club —
    After Graduation/College Plans: UCLA, majoring in biology but might change later —
    Career Goal: Medicine (MD or Dental) —
    Parents: Connie Su, Eugene Wu

    Name: Ethan Yang —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Yorba Linda High School —
    GPA: 4.65 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Varsity Tennis Captain, 1st Violinist Sinfonia Orchestra, Red Cross Club President, ACEing Autism Club Program Director, Teens of Orange County Rescue Mission Club President, Science Olympiad Team Member, NHS and CSF Vice President, Co-Valedictorian —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Studying Computer Science at UC Berkeley —
    Career Goal: Software Developer —
    Parents: Soo Yang and Jungwook Yang

    Name: Eric Wang —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Trabuco Hills High School —
    GPA: 5.3/5.0 —
    High School Activities or Groups: -Nationally Ranked Fencer with Multiple National Medals
    -National Honors Society
    -California Scholarship Federation
    -THHS Red Cross Club
    -THHS Orange County Academic Decathalon
    -United States National Chemistry Olympiad
    -International Baccalaureate —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Admitted to MIT with a biochemical engineering major —
    Career Goal: Surgeon —
    Parents: Jun Wang (Father) and Sun Yang (Mother)

    Name: Elle Waske —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Dana Hills High School —
    GPA: 5.0 —
    High School Activities or Groups: President of the Anxiety Relief Club, Member of the Health and Medical Occupations Academy, Participated in a research study, interning at Kaiser Hospital in the Ear Nose and Throat department, President of the Cleaner Planet Initiative Club —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attending UCLA for the major of microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics. —
    Career Goal: Becoming a Dermatologist —
    Parents: Maryam Moinfar, Joseph Waske

    Name: Elina Nazhadi —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Trabuco Hills High School —
    GPA: 4.73 —
    High School Activities or Groups: During my time at Trabuco, I completed over 400 hours of independent research into automotive systems and business. I co-founded and led a service club for two years, but my greatest enjoyment came from leading the German Honors Society for three years. —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attend UCI with an Aerospace Engineering major! —
    Career Goal: Hopefully work at NASA, aiding in the pursuit of extraterrestrial exploration. —
    Parents: Hosniyeh Bagheri, Ali Nazhadi

    Name: Elena Tran —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Loara High School —
    GPA: 4.72 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Varsity Tennis, Varsity Badminton —
    After Graduation/College Plans: UCLA —
    Career Goal: Statistician —
    Parents: Lan Nguyen and Vinh Tran

    Name: Dylan Fingersh —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Capistrano Valley —
    GPA: 4.88 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Football
    Engineering —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Harvard —
    Career Goal: —
    Parents: Julie, Adam

    Name: Dominic Phan —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Capistrano Valley —
    GPA: 4.37 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Capo Media
    ASB
    Cross Country —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Chapman Film —
    Career Goal: —
    Parents: Andre Phan, Minh Vu

    Name: Dina Naziri —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Troy High School —
    GPA: —
    High School Activities or Groups: —
    After Graduation/College Plans: —
    Career Goal: ER surgeon and commercial airline pilot —

    Name: Daeun Lee —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Valencia High School —
    GPA: 4.83 —
    High School Activities or Groups: FBLA, TEDx, NHS, Academic Decathlon, Mock Trial —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Studying Marketing at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business —
    Career Goal: Marketing Manager —
    Parents: Joo Kim, Sun Lee

    Name: Crystal DeWeese —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Brea Olinda High School —
    GPA: 4.9 —
    High School Activities or Groups: 4 Year Varsity Soccer, 2023 Summer Internship at Boeing, Lady IT, NHS —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Electrical Engineering major at UCLA —
    Career Goal: Engineer —
    Parents: Hiroko and Braid DeWeese

    Name: Claire Kim —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Canyon High School —
    GPA: 5.0 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Cross Country, Track and Field, Career Focus Club, Spreading Kindness Club —
    After Graduation/College Plans: I plan to attend UC Davis after college and major in Animal Science. —
    Career Goal: Become a veterinarian. —
    Parents: Anita Gregory-Kim

    Name: Christy Martinez —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Valencia High School —
    GPA: 4.13 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Link Crew 2023-24
    AVID 2020-24
    ROP Teaching Pathway 2022-24 —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attend Calfornia State University, Fullerton for a degree in Math; then obtain a single subject credential for middle school or high school. —
    Career Goal: Teaching math at the middle school or high school level. —
    Parents: Maria Gonzalez, Socrates Martinez

    Name: Cat Kawabe —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Mater Dei High School —
    GPA: 4.4 —
    High School Activities or Groups: 4 year varsity softball player
    4 years in Vocal and Choral Music —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Play softball at Tufts University and study Neuroscience on the premed track —
    Career Goal: Trauma surgeon —
    Parents: (Dad) Carl Kawabe, (late mom) Shawn Kawabe

    Name: Cassidy Cheng —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: Orange Lutheran High School —
    GPA: 4.71 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Associated Student Body President
    OLu Muse Editor-in-Chief
    STEM Pathway
    National Honor Society —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Yale University —
    Career Goal: biotechnology, medicine, artificial intelligence research —
    Parents: Jenny Wang, Lee Cheng

    Name: Carlo Vellandi —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Tesoro High School —
    GPA: 4.96 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Founder/Editor in Chief of Titan Tribune (School Newspaper)
    Varsity Track & Field Captain
    Varsity Cross Country Captain
    National Honor Society Member —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Attending Harvard College and concentrating in Philosophy and Economics —
    Career Goal: Lawyer/Entrepreneur —
    Parents: Kristin and Alex Vellandi

    Name: Cara Sowa —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Capistrano Valley —
    GPA: 4.65 —
    High School Activities or Groups: ASB
    Model United Nations
    International baccalaureate —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Stanford —
    Career Goal: —
    Parents: Carol, Mike

    Name: Brent Lee —
    Age: 18 —
    High school: Valencia High School —
    GPA: 4.75 —
    High School Activities or Groups: Coding For Future Co-Founder
    VHS Robotics Programming Lead
    VHS Esports President
    VHS Cyber Security Vice-President
    VHS Science Olympiad —
    After Graduation/College Plans: EECS Major @ UC Berkeley —
    Career Goal: Computer Engineer —
    Parents: Doria Hai

    Name: Breanna Nguyen —
    Age: 17 —
    High school: La Quinta High School —
    GPA: 4.53 —
    High School Activities or Groups: CyberPatriot
    Robotics Club
    National Honor Society
    California Scholarship Federation —
    After Graduation/College Plans: Major in Computer Science —
    Career Goal: Pursue a career as a Machine Learning Engineer —
    Parents: Kacee Do and Baoquoc Nguyen

    of

    Expand

    We asked high schools across Orange County to invite their valedictorians and top scholars to submit their photos and a little bit about themselves to celebrate their achievements as this senior year comes to a close. The following are the high school students who submitted their information, including after-graduation plans, and their career goals.

    Congratulations, graduates!

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    ​ Orange County Register 

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