Canyon High School

• Matthew Cheng is graduating from Canyon High School with a 5.04 GPA and will be attending University of California, Los Angeles majoring in History. He is unsure of his future plans but Pre-Med, History and English are areas of interest. Matthew represented Canyon with excellence in the classroom, in the community and on athletic and academic competition teams. Matthew's dedication to being a well-rounded student athlete makes him the type of role model we want our younger students to look up to.
• Masin Kearney is graduating from Canyon High School with a 5.0 GPA and will attend Oxford College of Emory University to major in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology and minor in Spanish. She plans to one day become a physician. Whether in the classroom, on the athletic fields or in the community, Masin exemplifies the Canyon commitment to excellence. Her dedication to being a well-rounded student athlete is what makes her exactly the type of young adult we want representing Canyon High School.
• Connor Quinn is graduating from Canyon High School with a 5.0 GPA and will be attending Chapman University where he’s been awarded several scholarships including the prestigious Presidential Scholarship. He will enter Chapman University as a student in the Pre-Pharmacy Early Assurance Program - an accelerated program where he can earn his Doctor of Pharmacy in five years. Connor’s commitment in and out of the classroom is evident by his many accomplishments during his years at Canyon High School. Connor is a perfect example of what a student athlete should be during high school and we are proud to have him represent Canyon High School.

El Modena High School

• Kady Hong is graduating from El Modena High School with a 4.86 GPA. She will be attending University of California, Los Angeles majoring in Immunology Molecular Genetics. Upon completing her undergraduate degree her ultimate goal is to attend medical school to become a neurologist or anesthesiologist. Kady’s life goal is to work in a hospital as a neurologist or anesthesiologist while participating in research projects.
• Maxwell Bui is graduating from El Modena High School with a 4.83 GPA and will be attending, University of California, Irvine majoring in Biological Sciences. Upon completing his undergraduate degree his ultimate goal is to attend medical school to become an orthopedic surgeon. Maxwell Bui represents all the positive values we are attempting to pass onto our youth: hardworking, humble, respectful, involved and altruistic. Maxwell Bui is a standout student who has made numerous contributions at El Modena High School and will continue to do so at the university level.
• Dagny Parayao is graduating from El Modena High School with a 4.83 GPA and will be attending University of California, Los Angeles where she will study Computer Science, as well as study abroad. Upon completing her undergraduate degree Dagny’s ultimate goal is to work in the technological industry as a software developer/engineer. According to Ms. Echavarria, Dagny’s counselor, “Dagny is intellectually gifted, but she is also one of the most disciplined and focused students I have encountered in my career. Put those two things together and well, that's why she's standing here today. I am so, so proud of Dagny and all her accomplishments. I have no doubt she will be successful in college and beyond.”

Orange High School

• Emily Gallardo is graduating from Orange High School with a 4.82 GPA and will be attending the University of California, Berkeley where she plans to double major in legal studies and psychology. Emily’s plans for the future is to attend law school to become a prosecutor or civil rights attorney. Emily’s life goals are to bring positive change to the world and to make her parents proud.
• Kelly Bui is graduating from Orange High School with a 4.77 GPA and will be attending University of California, Los Angeles, majoring in Biochemistry. After graduation, she intends on attending medical school and becoming a surgeon. In addition to her challenging course work at Orange High School, Kelly was also dual enrolled in classes at Santiago Canyon College. Her life goals include traveling the world, continuing to learn new skills, adopting a dog and becoming wealthy in order to contribute to charities and research efforts.

Villa Park High School

• Kelly Pham is graduating from Villa Park HS with a 5.09 GPA and will be attending the University of California, Irvine majoring in chemistry. She intends to participate in internships and research projects that will provide her with greater insight in to the vast possibilities that STEM has to offer. After earning her undergraduate degree, she plans to pursue higher education in Chemistry with a PhD or PharmD degree. She would like to be a part of the chemistry field, doing industrial research or working in the pharmaceutical field.
• Daniel Fong is graduating from Villa Park HS with a 5.03 GPA and will be attending the University of California, Los Angeles majoring in Mathematics, Financial Actuarial. During college he hopes to obtain an internship at an actuarial firm which will provide experience and hopefully a job opportunity. After earning his undergraduate degree, he plans to follow the path required to become an actuary.

The OUSD Student Board Members for the 2021-2022 school year are:

• Hydar Shmara, Canyon High School
• Eliana Lipson, El Modena High School
• Melissa Medina, Orange high School
• Evelyn Mendoza, Villa Park High School

Richland will announce their new representative in September.

Finally, keep your eyes open when you’re driving around town! This year, we have worked with our local cities to highlight some of our graduating seniors on banners placed along major streets in Orange and Anaheim Hills. It is our sincere hope that these banners not only encourage our community to celebrate the Class of 2021, but also serve to inspire our youngest scholars to strive for personal and academic success.

Warmest Regards,

Gunn Marie Hansen, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Orange Unified School District

High school graduation ceremonies will take place on June 9 and 10 at Fred Kelly Stadium. Each graduating student will receive FOUR tickets indicating the assigned seating area for their family. In addition, the event will be live-streamed for public viewing on the OUSD YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/OrangeUnifiedCA

Following current public health guidance, all attendees must wear masks as per CDPH Face Coverings Guidance and maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from other attendees at all times, other than with household members such as when they are in their own vehicles. Attendance must be limited to school staff, graduates, household members, and family members. Attendees must abide by travel limitations as indicated within the current CDPH Travel Advisory. Persons who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 (e.g., due to age or underlying conditions) should be discouraged from attending. Individuals who are sick or in isolation or quarantine must remain at home.

Seniors, send us a picture of your decorated graduation cap to showcase on our social media and website! The deadline to submit photos is June 10. Please email your photos to Classof2021@orangeusd.org.

Orange Unified School District is gearing up for its Spring recruiting and hiring initiative. Are you interested in a profession that makes a positive impact in the community? If so, please visit our website at www.orangeusd.org/jobs to view a vast array of employment opportunities that span from entry-level to upper management, classified, and certificated. Join the Orange Unified family and Inspire our learners of today to be purposeful leaders of tomorrow.