Welcome to State of the Art, where we celebrate all of the phenomenal accomplishments of our students, alumni, faculty, and staff. Congratulations to all, and don't forget to submit your accomplishments!

To submit a success story to be featured in State of the Art, please fill out the accomplishment submission form here.

  • Charlotte Jisoo Nam was awarded Very High Commendation in 2025 John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize Competition
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    Charlotte Jisoo Nam was awarded Very High Commendation in 2025 John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize Competition
    Charlotte Jisoo Nam (VA, ‘28) was awarded Very High Commendation in the 2025 John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize Competition. The John Locke Institute Essay Prize Competition, one of the most prestigious international essay competitions in the world, received over 63,000 entries this year from over 190 countries. Very High Commendation is a distinction earned by 1% of the applicants.
  • Mason Mei received a Rising Artist Award from Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) for his outstanding artwork
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    Mason Mei received a Rising Artist Award from Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) for his outstanding artwork
    Mason Mei (VA, ‘31) received a Rising Artist Award from Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) for his outstanding artwork at the 2025 District Honors Art Show. Mason was also recognized by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris for winning the IUSD Earth Day poster contest, for which he received a Certificate of Recognition. Mason also performed at Segerstrom Hall with the 2025 IUSD Elementary Honor Band; achieved second place for school and third place individually for the 2025 Elementary School Science Olympiad; took part in the Puma Marketplace Art Show; and won the 2025 Yearbook Cover contest at Cadence Park School.
  • Valerie Gil, Vivi Perez, and Emely Ramirez created La Catrina statue for the Mercado González Northgate Market La Catrina celebration and competition
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    Valerie Gil, Vivi Perez, and Emely Ramirez created La Catrina statue for the Mercado González Northgate Market La Catrina celebration and competition
    Valerie Gil (VA, ‘26), Vivi Perez (VA, ‘26), and Emely Ramirez (VA, ‘26) worked together to design and paint a life-size papier-mâché La Catrina statue for the Mercado González Northgate Market La Catrina celebration and competition. Their La Catrina earned second place and an $800 donation to the Visual Arts Conservatory.
  • Vera So was selected as a finalist for the 2025-2026 “TIME for Kids” Reporter Contest
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    Vera So was selected as a finalist for the 2025-2026 “TIME for Kids” Reporter Contest
    Vera So (VA, ‘30) was selected as a finalist for the 2025-2026 “TIME for Kids” Reporter Contest. As a finalist, she interviewed a young changemaker in Orange County and will have her interview’s article published in the February 2026 issue of “TIME for Kids.”
  • Shivani Atluri was selected to be a part of the Orange County Young Curators (OCYC) program
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    Shivani Atluri was selected to be a part of the Orange County Young Curators (OCYC) program
    Shivani Atluri (VA, ‘27) was selected to be a part of the Orange County Young Curators (OCYC) program for the 2025-2026 school year. The OCYC program brings together high school juniors and seniors from across the county to learn about museums, contemporary art, and curatorial practice. Together with artists, peers, and museum staff, students develop an exhibition from start to finish that opens to the public at the museum. Throughout the ten-month program, students complete a variety of projects that result in hands-on museum work and competitive professional experience in the arts and cultural sector.