Irvine’s vision to create a “City of Intellect” is highlighted again this year with the class of 2026 showing off academic success, athletic prowess, achievements in the arts, commitment to community service and more. As products of one of the state’s top school districts, these extraordinary graduates are eager to make their mark on the world in a wide variety of areas. From biomedical engineers and physics prodigies to business innovators and amazing artists, these future doctors, judges, policymakers, technology titans and international leaders will always be good citizens eager to help and make the world a happier place, as they’ve thoroughly demonstrated already. Read on to learn more about each exceptional student and how they’re ready to contribute beyond high school.
Irvine H.S.
Audrey Chen
Cornell University: Biology & Society
This violinist, dancer and figure skater also finds time as a student leader to mobilize – from launching a schoolwide survey about long lunch lines that led to the addition of a mini cafe, to spearheading an urgent donation drive that filled four overflowing bins with necessities for victims of the Eaton wildfire. She wants to practice medicine and serve as a public health adviser. “I hope to one day lead national health policy, advocating for science-backed policies and ensuring health care is not partisan, but humanitarian,” she says.
Portola H.S.
Rishabh Garg
California Institute of Technology: Physics; Business, Economics and Management
Garg hopes students of the future read about his work. “My lifelong goal is to contribute something so fundamental to science that it ends up in a textbook.” He is relentless when faced with a challenge. While designing particle physics experiments for a global high school team competition, Garg plowed on through weeks of failure until at last he solved it. “That experience taught me how important persistence and iteration are in scientific research.” He maintains balance through running and producing videos. His advice for freshmen? “Don’t be afraid to enter spaces where you feel like an outsider, as some of your best experiences may come from somewhere completely unexpected.”
Beckman H.S.
Sophia Wong
Boston University: Biomedical Engineering
Wong is one of about 200 students nationwide awarded a scholarship worth up to $40,000 and a paid summer software engineering internship as an Amazon Future Engineer Scholar. She aims to work in neurotechnology and brain-computer interfaces. She built a computational model that generates EEG brain signals from visual input to explore assistive technologies for the blind. A cellist, Wong is most proud of “combining engineering, music and advocacy to make an impact in my community through STEM education, senior outreach and neuroscience-related advocacy.”
Irvine H.S.
Aastine Bastine
Saint Louis University: Medicine
Bastine wants to specialize in cardiology. An early fascination for the complex workings of the heart led to rigorous academic studies and eye-opening hospital volunteer experiences. “I saw firsthand how conditions like hypertension and heart disease disproportionately affect individuals who lack access to preventive care,” says Bastine, who is determined to be a physician “who not only treats disease, but also addresses the underlying social and systemic factors that contribute to it.” He can multitask, from serving as captain of the lacrosse team to organizing a cancer screening campaign for underserved communities.
Northwood H.S.
Kamron Jamali
UC Irvine: Biological Sciences
Jamali is a helper who likes to make people happy. Intent on a premed path in college, he hopes to also be a healer someday. “In the medical field, I hope to accomplish everything that I have always reached for in the past, while also providing others a safe and joyous presence.” Jamali brought a lot of joy to the stage during four years in the theater arts program and dedication as one of 10 California Thespians student representatives. His upbeat attitude extends to advice he gives to freshmen: “Do what you love and never let anyone stand in your path.”
“I have always tried to make people happy, help others and be someone people can go to for anything they need.”
Kamron Jamali
UC Irvine provides the right recipe for success
Choosing UC Irvine was a no-brainer for Lucas (Kaixiang) Zhuang. It checked every academic box, offering strong programs in computer science and business information management. A dual major proved the synergistic sweet-spot for Zhuang’s high-tech aspirations. It landed him a spot in Carnegie Mellon’s master’s program for software engineering, an offer from Google and the foundation he needed to launch his own AI startup.
“Having two dedicated schools for the two majors I wanted to pursue was helpful,” Zhuang says.
“UCI was the only university I applied to that had both.”
Each school also comes with unique research opportunities for high-performing students. The business school’s Student Managed Investment Fund offers hands-on portfolio management experience by giving qualified students $50,000 to invest and access to Bloomberg terminals to perform real-time market analysis. The Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences connects students with industry experts and top-tier professors to develop their own research.
Those experiences were key to Zhuang co-founding an AI and robotics startup. “We produce training data to enhance robotics manipulation.” Until now, robotics trained lower and upper bodies separately. Zhuang’s startup aims to integrate the whole body and sell that application.
But the university isn’t the only factor contributing to Zhuang’s success. He credits Irvine itself. “It’s the environment. Irvine is friendly, collaborative, convenient and beautiful. It’s also extremely safe. That’s how I’m able to dedicate myself to my work.”
University H.S.
Naomi Gesk
UCLA: Music Performance and Cognitive Science
Uncertain of her career path once she finishes her double major, Gesk nevertheless will continue playing music and “hope to be happy and be able to help others be happy.” A volunteer who understands the power of music, Gesk plays her harp at her church and for local hospitals. Born prematurely, she spent 100 days in the NICU at Children’s Hospital of Orange County. One way Gesk gave back: raising more than $2,200 by organizing a class where students paid to practice yoga while she played her harp.
Portola H.S.
Olivia (Liv) Skeete
Princeton University: Computer Science
Skeete believes the next frontier of artificial intelligence centers on memory. She wants to bring more depth to how AI remembers – the way a doctor, a tutor, a friend remembers things about you. “No matter how smart AI becomes, it will struggle to solve long-lived and contextually rich problems without a robust memory system. Memory is the substrate of every meaningful relationship.” Skeete is a Girl Scout, a poet and a podcaster who built her community’s first Little Free Library and an online civics tool for teens as well as created apps to help L.A. wildfire victims and students seeking advice about classes.
Beckman H.S.
Brooke Knisely
UC Irvine: Biological Sciences
Intent on continuing in Division 1 water polo after high school, Knisely had to do some serious time management to maintain high academic standards and intense athletic training and competition. That meant making sacrifices. “I recognized I had to prioritize athletics over my social life,” Knisely says. Still, she participated in volunteer activities that included serving at her church and fundraising for Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Knisely hopes to become an anesthesiologist and fulfill a lifelong goal: traveling to all seven continents.
Northwood H.S.
Leanna Lo
Stanford University: Energy Science & Engineering
Lo founded a nonprofit that provides free STEM courses and materials to underserved communities. So far, her SciConnect Initiative has reached students in 36 states and generated more than 12,000 course signups. Lo’s ambition is to help build “clean and equitable energy systems that can support the growing demands of modern society.” Lo plans to continue using STEM and innovation to build community and solve real-world problems. “The most meaningful part of high school has been creating spaces where people feel supported, included and encouraged to grow,” she says.
Beckman H.S.
Carter Head
U.S. Air Force Academy: Political Science
Head has his heart set on the sky. The aspiring fighter jet pilot is determined to “do something greater than myself and give back to the country that has given me everything.” He made the principal’s honor roll each semester and played on the 2024 CIF Southern Section Division 3 baseball championship team. Head has done plenty of giving back already as a volunteer at food banks, churches, beach cleanups, the Dino Dash walk/run, Little League baseball camps and coaching youth baseball teams.
Woodbridge H.S.
Yuki Matsumura
Harvard University: Environmental Science & Public Policy
Matsumura moved more than 10 times before starting high school in Irvine, sometimes struggling to belong. She found resilience, connection and value in her experience and achieved several merit scholarships for a full ride to Harvard. She serves as a tech tutor for seniors, inspired after being unable to communicate with relatives overseas who didn’t understand video calling. Matsumura is enriched by activities that include Digital Wellness Lab student adviser, community services youth representative and leadership roles in school choir, ASB and UNICEF club. “I am passionate about fostering inclusive spaces where people feel seen, valued and connected to one another.”
Portola H.S.
Namrata (Nami) Motwani
UC Irvine: International Studies and Economics
A prelaw college track seems inevitable for Motwani: “I have been infatuated with the concept of justice for as long as I can remember.” As competitive and accomplished as other standout peers, Motwani also co-authored and published a book and was elected chief justice of the Supreme Court at California Girls State. She’s most proud of staying herself, learning “to be driven without losing my empathy, ambitious without sacrificing my integrity and social without abandoning the quiet moments I needed for real learning and growth,” she says.
University H.S.
Feodor Yevtushenko
Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Physics and Computer Science
Imagine putting in extra hours of study beyond what’s been assigned – for the fun of it. Yevtushenko did just that, and his prowess in STEM competitions includes gold medals at International Physics Olympiads held in Tokyo and Paris as well as first place in an international astronomy and astrophysics competition. He is co-president of campus math and physics clubs and leads the Science Bowl team. Without the resources for tutors, Yevtushenko learned from free resources scoured online. “It forced me to think about what I wanted long-term and how I could work toward achieving it, ultimately charting my own path.”
“Focus on something you are passionate about. Consistent, dedicated effort pays off big-time.”
Feodor Yevtushenko
Beckman H.S.
Riley O’Brien
Cal State Fullerton: Business
A star in soccer as a midfielder and flag football at safety, O’Brien will play Division 1 soccer in college. She’s interested in medical innovation and wants to help athletes perform at the top level. “Through my involvement in the Irvine Valley College kinesiology program, I’ve had the opportunity to work firsthand on the field with our athletic trainer, which gave me real insight into injury prevention, recovery and athlete care,” she says. O’Brien mentors young athletes and enjoys being part of a team. “I love the process of improving while also constantly competing with others.”
Irvine H.S.
Lennon Coffin
Stanford: Economics
Captain of the track and field and cross-country teams, Coffin is proudest of finishing his last CIF 800 meter race on a torn hamstring. He helped start the Economics Club that finished among the top eight of 6,500 teams in the National Economics Challenge. A guitarist and trumpet player, he’s also a National Merit finalist who tutors underprivileged youth. Education has shaped him, and he aims to use innovative financing to improve access for others. “I’ve seen the uplifting impact it can have on individuals and communities,” he says.
Portola H.S.
Tyler Kim
UCLA: Engineering
Kim describes himself as having “no natural athleticism,” yet played on the volleyball team for four years and was named captain. As such, he offers this advice to incoming freshmen: “Don’t underestimate yourself! Challenge yourself and find your limits.” He also did research in stroke rehabilitation and helping patients – an effort that required a three-hour commute to UCLA. This National Merit Scholarship finalist wants to use a career in STEM to improve people’s lives, specifically as a medical device engineer. “I want to serve others,” he says.
Northwood H.S.
Angie Elseisi
UCLA: International Development Studies
Elseisi is driven to represent vulnerable people who can’t advocate for themselves. She has already done that on campus and in volunteer activities. “My experience as ASB vice president showed me how much it matters to make sure quieter voices are heard, not just the loudest ones,” she says. On behalf of the nonprofit organization Global Hope 365, Elseisi worked on a letter campaign calling for legislation to end child marriage and raise awareness of human trafficking. Ultimately, she wants to be a lawyer and shape government policy.
Northwood H.S.
Danuj Kunaseelan
UC Irvine: Business Administration
A strong work ethic and leadership qualities propel Kunaseelan, who hopes for a career in business law and real estate. He has served on class councils, as athletics commissioner and in the Key Club. A relief drive Kunaseelan led last year gathered food, toiletries and other necessities for wildfire victims in Los Angeles. Kunaseelan has gained lifetime wisdom earlier than many. “I’ve realized that unexpected challenges are a part of life. What I can control is my effort, my mindset and how I respond in the moment.”
Capitalizing on a fresh start
Ofelia (Lia) Veisalov says she was introverted when she moved to Irvine in 2023. She found her voice at Irvine Valley College and then some: Veisalov has earned national recognition after being selected for three prestigious academic honors that total nearly $11,000 in scholarships.
The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society gave Veisalov confidence. After being named to the All-USA Academic Team – one of the country’s highest honors for community college students – she received a scholarship recognizing her academic achievements, leadership and community engagement. She was also California’s only New Century Transfer Scholar and a Guistwhite Scholar this year. She competed against thousands of other nominees nationwide for each award.
“My friends can’t believe this big shift I made from quiet person to student leader,” says Veisalov, who credits IVC’s faculty, counselors and club advisers for her transformation. “I grew comfortable with the idea of being a little audacious and maximizing every experience.”
Having left a competitive university in Israel, Veisalov was ready to embrace
every opportunity IVC offered, starting with the International Students Club, where she now serves as president.
“I’m thankful the international program required a class that prepared us for college life and living in America. I met many people there who are still friends.”
Veisalov is a peer mentor for the honors program and will pursue her bachelor’s degree in chemistry, with a minor in cell biology, at Cal State Fullerton.
“If you have a vision for your future, act to support it. Take advantage of the opportunities. They’re everywhere. You just have to look for them.”
