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.

To view additional accomplishments by conservatory, please visit this page.

  • Congratulations to OCSA’s Mock Trial Team
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    Congratulations to OCSA’s Mock Trial Team
    Congratulations to the members of OCSA’s Mock Trial Team, who competed this year against more than 35 teams from across Orange County, advancing to the semifinals. The primary competition team was victorious against JSerra, Brea Olinda, Foothill, Santa Ana, Beckman, and Yorba Linda, while the secondary competition team defeated Portola and Mater Dei.

    Primary Team:
    Sophia Abiera (ACT, ‘24)
    Sruthi Alle (CV, ‘21)
    Catherine Boland (IA, ‘24)
    Charlotte Brandman (MT, ‘23)
    Riley Bryant (FTV, ‘21)
    Edward Chen (IA, ‘24)
    Gabriel Chen (PM, ‘22)
    Ethan Gray (ACT, ‘22)
    Sasha Herthel (ACT, ‘23)
    Ashley Hodge (IA, ‘23)
    Melanie Huq (CW, ‘21)
    Toby Izenberg (CW, ‘23)
    Milo Karnes (IA, ‘24)
    Emma Kay (ACT, ‘23)
    Regan Mading (IA, ‘23)
    Mehra Marzbani (ACT, ‘23)
    Morgan Milam (IM, ‘24)
    Gaby Mikhail (CW, ‘21)
    Daisy Noh (IA, ‘22)
    Jess Perez (ACT, ‘21)
    Paris Lases-Perez (ACT, ‘21)
    Colin Root (ACT, ‘22)
    Jocelyn Wang (PM, ‘23)

    Secondary Team:
    Ally Artavia-High (CW, ‘24)
    Zabby Bagnol (PD, ‘24)
    Daniel Grossgold (IA, ‘24)
    McKenna Guldner (IA, ‘24)
    Courtney Hines (CW, ‘24)
    Darian Hojreh (CAH, ‘22)
    Claire Karr (VA, ‘23)
    Annabelle Kim (CW, ‘23)
    Emily Kim (CW, ‘24)
    Nathaniel Kim (DM, ‘22)
    Sky Lu (IA, ‘23)
    Kendall Phanco (VA, ‘23)
    Mia Rinaldi (PM, ‘23)
    Aryan Simhadri (ACT, ‘24)
    Elora Sparnicht (CW, ‘23)
    Luke Stark (IA, ‘24)
  • Sammie Gee was recognized for culinary excellence
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    Sammie Gee was recognized for culinary excellence
    Sammie Gee (CAH, ‘24) was recognized for culinary excellence, artistry, presentation, and service for original handcrafted hors d'oeuvres at OC Wonderland.
  • Students place in California Restaurant Foundation’s Prostart Cup Competition
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    Students place in California Restaurant Foundation’s Prostart Cup Competition
    The following students placed in the California Restaurant Foundation’s Prostart Cup Competition and competed against 27 other high schools and 194 students.

    Culinary:
    Wienerschnitzel's Dress Your Dog Competition
    1st place: Madison "Star" Lu (CAH, ‘22)
    2nd place: Naya Garg (CAH, ‘24)

    Taco Throwdown
    2nd place: Naya Garg (CAH, ‘24)

    Cupcake Bake-Off
    2nd place: Natalie Dixon (CAH, ‘22)

    Management:
    Create + Curate: Original Menu
    1st place: Isabella Vegh (CAH, ‘21)

    Branding Challenge: Logo + Marketing
    1st place: Isabella Vegh (CAH, ‘21)
    3rd place: Madison "Star" Lu (CAH, ‘22)

    Design Challenge: Floorplan + Decor
    1st place: Isabella Vegh (CAH, ‘21)
    2nd place: Madison "Star" Lu (CAH, ‘22)
  • OCSA has been ranked by Niche as the #1 Best Charter High School in California for the third year in a row
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    OCSA has been ranked by Niche as the #1 Best Charter High School in California for the third year in a row
    Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) has been ranked by Niche as the #1 Best Charter High School in California for the third year in a row, as well as the #6 Best Charter High School in America for 2022! We would like to express our gratitude to all the students, teachers, and staff who continue to make OCSA an exceptional institution. To view all rankings for OCSA, please visit: https://bit.ly/3D8R02u
  • The OCSA VEX Robotics Team received the Judge’s Award at the VEX OC Robo Bonanza
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    The OCSA VEX Robotics Team received the Judge’s Award at the VEX OC Robo Bonanza
    The OCSA VEX Robotics Team competed in their first-ever tournament at the VEX OC Robo Bonanza, hosted by Beckman High School, and received the Judge’s Award. The following students participated in the tournament:

    Sumin Cho (IM, ‘24)
    Vivienne Ho (IA, ‘22)
    Justin Hong (IM, ‘24)
    Chelsea Lee (VA, ‘23)
    Kara Syn (IM, ‘23)
    Jeffrey Tadeo (IA, ‘21)
    Ryan Yoo (CAH, ‘24)
  • OCSA students from The Mekjian Culinary Arts & Hospitality Conservatory were invited to participate in the MaxLove Project Farm to Fork Dinner at Tanaka Farms
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    OCSA students from The Mekjian Culinary Arts & Hospitality Conservatory were invited to participate in the MaxLove Project Farm to Fork Dinner at Tanaka Farms
    The following students from The Mekjian Culinary Arts & Hospitality Conservatory were invited to participate in the MaxLove Project Farm to Fork Dinner at Tanaka Farms, which raises funds to fight childhood cancer.

    Marie Acalin (CAH, ‘24)
    Alexis Arvizu (CAH, ‘24)
    Lindsay Bae (CAH, ‘23)
    Aurelia Carrie (CAH, ‘23)
    Dong Won Chang (CAH, ‘23)
    Aveline Chauchereau (CAH, ‘22)
    Hazel Ciufo (CAH, ‘24)
    Lanna Gale (CAH, ‘23)
    Naya Garg (CAH, ‘24)
    Samantha Gee (CAH, ‘24)
    Kim Ha (CAH, ‘24)
    Darian Hojreh (CAH, ‘22)
    Megan Hughes (CAH, ‘24)
    Sam Johnson (CAH, ‘22)
    Samuel Laven (CAH, ‘23)
    Lexi Layne (CAH, ‘24)
    Bree Lew (CAH, ‘23)
    Madison (Star) Lu (CAH, ‘22)
    Kyleigh Nielson (CAH, ‘23)
    Mia Octavio (CAH, ‘23)
    Ryan Okajima (CAH, ‘23)
    Kim Paige (CAH, ‘22)
    Noga Raz (CAH, ‘24)
    Brieanna Samaniego (CAH, ‘24)
    Tira Smith (CAH, ‘24)
    Jordan Spence (CAH, ‘24)
    Evelyn Wu (CAH, ‘23)
  • Lana Sawalha, an OCSA History Teacher, was offered the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Fellowship
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    Lana Sawalha, an OCSA History Teacher, was offered the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Fellowship
    Lana Sawalha, an OCSA history teacher, was offered the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes Fellowship in Scott, KS. The fellowship is awarded annually to educators who have distinguished themselves in teaching understanding and respect through project-based learning.
  • Orange County School of the Arts was featured in a KTLA article about recent Niche ranking
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    Orange County School of the Arts was featured in a KTLA article about recent Niche ranking
    Orange County School of the Arts was featured in an article by KTLA about our recent Niche ranking as the #1 Best Charter High School in California for the third year in a row, as well as the #6 Best Charter High School in America for 2022. To read the full article, please visit: https://bit.ly/3Iy3N1k
  • Cole Schulein cooked a full meal for 35 women at WISEPlace, a domestic violence shelter
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    Cole Schulein cooked a full meal for 35 women at WISEPlace, a domestic violence shelter
    Cole Schulein (CAH, ‘25) cooked a full meal for 35 women at WISEPlace, a domestic violence shelter, for his Mitzvah project.
  • Elective and Conservatory Instructor Cameron Shim received his Level 1 Teaching Certification
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    Elective and Conservatory Instructor Cameron Shim received his Level 1 Teaching Certification
    Elective and Conservatory Instructor Cameron Shim received his Level 1 Teaching Certification for Aerial Silks from Aerial Physique.
  • Culinary Arts & Hospitality students were selected to compete in the 2022 CA ProStart Cup
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    Culinary Arts & Hospitality students were selected to compete in the 2022 CA ProStart Cup
    The following Culinary Arts & Hospitality students were selected to compete in the 2022 CA ProStart Cup.

    Culinary Team:
    Captain: Madison (Star) Lu (CAH, ‘22)
    Aurelia Carrie (CAH, ‘23)
    Max Gilbert (CAH, ‘22)
    Ryan Okajima (CAH, ‘23)
    Trinity Wiideman (CAH, ‘24)

    Management Team:
    Captain: Evelyn Wu (CAH, ‘23)
    Lanna Gale (CAH, ‘23)
    Sam Laven (CAH, ‘23)
    Willie Yao (CAH, ‘24)

    Individual Competitor:
    Mason Vair (CAH, ‘23)
  • Chef Daniel Mattos was featured in an article by the Orange County Register about OCSA’s culinary Throwdown competition
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    Chef Daniel Mattos was featured in an article by the Orange County Register about OCSA’s culinary Throwdown competition
    Daniel Mattos, Chef Director of the Mekjian Family Culinary Arts & Hospitality Conservatory, was featured in an article by the Orange County Register about OCSA’s culinary Throwdown competition. For the full article, please visit: https://bit.ly/3q7yWC3
  • The OCSA Robotics Team qualified for the 2022 Southern California VRC High School State Championship
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    The OCSA Robotics Team qualified for the 2022 Southern California VRC High School State Championship
    The OCSA Robotics Team qualified for the 2022 Southern California VRC High School State Championship held at Damien High School, where they will compete for a chance to go to the 2022 VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas.
  • Five OCSA students were selected as 2022 Dragon Kim Fellows and earned $5,000 community service grants from the Dragon Kim Foundation
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    Five OCSA students were selected as 2022 Dragon Kim Fellows and earned $5,000 community service grants from the Dragon Kim Foundation
    The following students were selected as 2022 Dragon Kim Fellows and earned $5,000 community service grants from the Dragon Kim Foundation. These students were chosen from over 300 applicants across California and Nevada and went through a rigorous interview process to earn the fellowships. Along with the project funding, these five students will receive three weekends of leadership training and hands-on mentorship from local business professionals.
    Teachers Aid+: Camila Balanta (CAH, ‘25) and Sara Balanta (IA, ‘22)
    Coding Campers: Tane Kim (IM, ‘24), Abbi Park (CW, ‘24), and Joshua Ta (IM, ‘24)
  • The OCSA VEX Robotics Team won their last three matches and finished 23rd at the 2022 Southern California VRC High School State Championship
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    The OCSA VEX Robotics Team won their last three matches and finished 23rd at the 2022 Southern California VRC High School State Championship
    The OCSA VEX Robotics Team won their last three matches and finished 23rd at the 2022 Southern California VRC High School State Championship. They competed in the Southern California region which has hundreds of teams and is said to be the toughest in the country. The following students are members of the team and competed in the championship:

    Sumin Cho (IM, ‘24)
    Vivienne Ho (IA, ‘22)
    Justin Hong (IM, ‘24)
    Chelsea Lee (VA, ‘23)
    Kara Syn (IM, ‘23)
    Jeffrey Tadeo (IA, ‘21)
    Ryan Yoo (CAH, ‘24)
  • OCSA students competed in the ProStart Cup Culinary Competition among the top 16 teams from Southern California and won multiple awards
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    OCSA students competed in the ProStart Cup Culinary Competition among the top 16 teams from Southern California and won multiple awards
    The following students competed in the ProStart Cup Culinary Competition among the top 16 teams from Southern California and received the following awards. The Management Team was also invited to the National ProStart Invitational in Washington, D.C. The following Culinary Arts & Hospitality students were additionally featured on Spectrum News 1 for their participation in the ProStart competition. To check out the full story, please visit: https://bit.ly/3uJ85O7

    First Place:

    Wienerschnitzel's Dress Your Dog Competition
    Mason Vair (CAH, ‘23)

    Management Competition
    Evelyn Wu (CAH, ‘23), Captain
    Lanna Gale (CAH, ‘23)
    Sam Laven (CAH, ‘23)
    Willie Yao (CAH, ‘24)

    Fourth Place:

    Culinary Competition
    Madison (Star) Lu (CAH, ‘22), Captain
    Aurelia Carrie (CAH, ‘23)
    Max Gilbert (CAH, ‘22)
    Ryan Okajima (CAH, ‘23)
    Trinity Wiideman (CAH, ‘24)
  • The Culinary Arts & Hospitality Conservatory was featured in an article by the Orange County Register regarding their recent Culinary Throwdown competition and benefit
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    The Culinary Arts & Hospitality Conservatory was featured in an article by the Orange County Register regarding their recent Culinary Throwdown competition and benefit
    The Culinary Arts & Hospitality Conservatory was featured in an article by the Orange County Register regarding their recent Culinary Throwdown competition and benefit. To read the full article, please visit: https://bit.ly/3ISJGul
  • Culinary Arts & Hospitality students participated in the National ProStart Invitational in Washington, D.C., competed against the top 40 management teams from all over the nation, and received ninth place
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    Culinary Arts & Hospitality students participated in the National ProStart Invitational in Washington, D.C., competed against the top 40 management teams from all over the nation, and received ninth place
    The following students participated in the National ProStart Invitational in Washington, D.C., competed against the top 40 management teams from all over the nation, and received ninth place.

    Chef Paola Costa, Coach
    Evelyn Wu (CAH, ‘23), Captain
    Lanna Gale (CAH, ‘23)
    Sam Laven (CAH, ‘23)
    Willie Yao (CAH, ‘24)
  • Hannah MacDonald was selected to work as a project coordinator for Jacobs Doland Beer, the largest food service design firm in the United States
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    Hannah MacDonald was selected to work as a project coordinator for Jacobs Doland Beer, the largest food service design firm in the United States
    Hannah MacDonald (CAH, ‘18) was selected to work as a project coordinator for Jacobs Doland Beer, the largest food service design firm in the United States.
  • Geena Meyhoefer was hired as the meetings & events manager at The Colonnade Hotel
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    Geena Meyhoefer was hired as the meetings & events manager at The Colonnade Hotel
    Geena Meyhoefer (CAH, ‘17) was hired as the meetings & events manager at The Colonnade Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Katie Derr was recognized as one of UNLV's outstanding graduates, competed on UNLV’s Solar Decathlon team and opened Rebel Grounds, an environmentally friendly coffee shop
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    Katie Derr was recognized as one of UNLV's outstanding graduates, competed on UNLV’s Solar Decathlon team and opened Rebel Grounds, an environmentally friendly coffee shop
    Katie Derr (CAH, ‘16) was recognized as one of University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ (UNLV) outstanding graduates and competed on UNLV’s Solar Decathlon team where she was able to work on projects that educate people about sustainable sourcing and food waste. She also opened Rebel Grounds, an environmentally friendly coffee shop at UNLV. Katie was honored with Sigma Kappa Sorority’s 35 Under 35 Award, which recognizes 35 women under the age of 35 who are making a difference.
  • Da Yea Sue, Isabella Vegh, and Mckenna Voisin received 2022 California Restaurant Foundation Scholarships
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    Da Yea Sue, Isabella Vegh, and Mckenna Voisin received 2022 California Restaurant Foundation Scholarships
    Da Yea Sue (CAH, ‘21), Isabella Vegh (CAH, ‘21), and Mckenna Voisin (CAH, ‘19) received 2022 California Restaurant Foundation Scholarships.
  • Anaya Green was featured in a Daily Pilot article where she spoke about her battle with cancer, experience working with the MaxLove Project, and the CAH Conservatory
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    Anaya Green was featured in a Daily Pilot article where she spoke about her battle with cancer, experience working with the MaxLove Project, and the CAH Conservatory
    Anaya Green (CAH, ‘26) was featured in a Daily Pilot article where she spoke about her battle with cancer, experience working with the MaxLove Project, and The Mekjian Family Culinary Arts & Hospitality Conservatory. To read the full article, please visit: https://bit.ly/41FGYlf
  • OCSA students competed in the California Restaurant Foundation’s 2023 ProStart Cup and received awards
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    OCSA students competed in the California Restaurant Foundation’s 2023 ProStart Cup and received awards
    The following students competed in the California Restaurant Foundation’s 2023 ProStart Cup and received the following awards. The Culinary Team was also invited to the National ProStart Invitational in Washington, D.C. The following Culinary Arts & Hospitality students were additionally featured in an article by the Los Angeles Times Daily Pilot for their participation in the ProStart competition. To check out the full story, please visit: https://bit.ly/3WcAQ2U
    Wienerschnitzel's Dress Your Dog Competition – First Place
    Ryan Yoo (CAH, ‘25)

    Loaded Idaho Baked Potato Competition – First Place
    Trinity Wiideman (CAH, ‘24)

    Culinary Competition – First Place
    Aurelia Carrie (CAH, ‘23): Co-Captain
    Ryan Okajima (CAH, ‘23): Co-Captain
    Hannah Dromgoole (CAH, ‘25)
    Christian Lopez (CAH, ‘23)
    Trinity Wiideman (CAH, ‘24)

    Management Competition – Second Place
    Evelyn Wu (CAH, ‘23): Co-Captain
    Willie Yao (CAH, ‘24): Co-Captain
    Lanna Gale (CAH, ‘23)
    Brieana Samaniego (CAH, ‘24)
  • Hailey Heren was featured in the OC Register highlighting her record-breaking Girl Scout cookie sales
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    Hailey Heren was featured in the OC Register highlighting her record-breaking Girl Scout cookie sales
    Hailey Heren (CAH, ‘25) was featured in an article by the Orange County Register highlighting her record-breaking Girl Scout cookie sales. To read the full article, please visit: https://bit.ly/3My2kNk
  • Members of the OCSA Robotics Team were invited to compete at the One World Showcase Event at University of California, Berkeley
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    Members of the OCSA Robotics Team were invited to compete at the One World Showcase Event at University of California, Berkeley
    Members of the OCSA Robotics Team were invited to compete at the One World Showcase Event at University of California, Berkeley. Five teams from OCSA competed against 115 other teams from around the country. One of the five teams, Z Squared, was composed of Olivia Lee (VA, ‘25), Sunny Li (IM, ‘24), and Samantha Park (IA, ‘25), making them one of the less than 5% of teams that were made of all female members. Z Squared placed 7th out of 115 in only their second year of robotics. Below is the full list of the OCSA students who participated in the One World Showcase Event.

    Shining Chen (CW, ‘26)
    Sumin Cho (IM, ‘25)
    Evan Choe (VA, ‘25)
    Rhea Dayal (VA, ‘28)
    Juneau Foxlin (IM, ‘26)
    Justin Hong (IM, ‘25)
    Peyton Hsu (AE, ‘27)
    Jason Lee (IM, ‘27)
    Olivia Lee (VA, ‘25)
    Sunny Li (IM, ‘24)
    Edward Luna (IM, ‘24)
    Danny O’Grady (IM, ‘24)
    Samantha Park (IA, ‘25)
    Taven Rong (IM, ‘28)
    Paul Seo (DM, ‘26)
    Kaya Simsek (CAH, ‘26)
    Kara Syn (IM, ‘24)
    George Weichel (PD, ‘27)
    Ryan Yoo (CAH, ‘25)
    Beatrice Yu (PM, ‘28)
    Jojo Yu (CMD, ‘25)
  • Christian Lopez won the Aaron Sanchez Scholarship through the Emeril Lagasse Foundation
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    Christian Lopez won the Aaron Sanchez Scholarship through the Emeril Lagasse Foundation
    Christian Lopez (CAH, ‘23) won the Aaron Sanchez Scholarship through the Emeril Lagasse Foundation. The opportunity includes full tuition to a Culinary Certificate Program at New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI), as well as an internship with paid housing, food and travel stipends, and mentorship from Chef Aaron Sanchez and other star chefs.