California Preparatory Academy celebrates the Class of 2023

California Preparatory Academy seniors gathered Wednesday, May 31 at Capistrano Union High School to celebrate the Class of 2023.

The students walked in to “Pomp and Circumstance” composed by Edward Elgar, and were welcomed by Principal Jolene Dougherty. Kole Basilio led students, school officials, and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Scholar of Scholars speech was given by Jasmine Estrada, who was wearing a gold gown to signify the honor, followed by Honors and Awards and a Scholarship Presentation and Acknowledgement by Dougherty. Board Vice President Michael Parham and Board of Trustees Clerk Amy Hanacek presented the diplomas. Dougherty presented the Class of 2023, and Parham provided the Acceptance of the Class of 2023. Avi Hashemi and Toby Stephens led the turning of the tassels.

Student valedictorians, with a cumulative academic 9-12 grade point average of 4.0 or higher, wore a medal and white gowns. The valedictorians are: Kole Basilio, Benjamin Blair, Jasmine Estrada, Luke Harris, Megan Hamilton, Ava Hashemi, Wyatt Kurtz, Helena Kurtz, Alex Manzella, Vanessa Ngo, Linsey Pram, and Giovanna Sanchirico.

Students wore a gold tassel to signify Academic Distinction, for a cumulative academic 9-12 grade point average of 3.5 or higher. The students of Academic Distinction are: Luke Alcaraz, Blaine Bacharach, Samantha Banuelos, Rocco Bennett, Samantha Biniasz, Sophia Boucly, Kaleb Brunke, Wendy Chavez, Saylor Cushing, Elyse Eneinyang, Brenden Fields, Seth Hansen, Mackenzie Hodges, Chloe Lee, Lorenzo Philippe Magdaluyo, Mason Maniscalco, Chase Marcot, Samantha Markow, Eden McRory, Taylor Mindte, John Mulvee, Josie Nathan, Kenneth (Ryan) Pinkerton, Samantha Ruiz Alvarez, Avery Sandlin, Avalon Stucky, Kai Tinney, Makena Totaro, and Miles Trotter.

Awards and Honors

Capistrano Unified Management Association Scholarship: Samantha Banuelos

Merit Awards

Social Studies Merit ~ Samantha Markow and Avalon Stucky

English Merit ~ Megan Hamilton and Alex Manzella

Science Merit ~ Jasmine Estrada and Alex Manzella

Math Merit ~ Giovanna Sanchirico

Visual Arts ~ Samantha Ruiz Alvarez

College and Career Advantage Pathways

Sophia Boucly ~ Production & Managerial Arts

Kaleb Brunke ~ Biotechnology

Recognition Awards

Outstanding Character Award: Elyse Eneinyang and Luke Harris

21st Century Learner Award: Chase Marcot and Megan Hamilton

Principal’s Award: Vanessa Ngo

Condors Award: Giovanna Sanchirico

Congratulations, California Preparatory Academy Class of 2023!

See below for photos from the commencement ceremony. The graduates are listed following the photos.

*California Preparatory Academy students enter their Class of 2023 Graduation Ceremony.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

*Guadalupe Del Rio has her portrait taken with her diploma and decorated cap at the conclusion of her graduation ceremony.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

*Cal Prep graduate Luke Alcaraz has his family photo taken by a portrait photographer at the conclusion of his graduation ceremony.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

*Cal Prep graduate Sydney LeGrande takes a photo with her family at the conclusion of her graduation ceremony.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

*California Preparatory Academy graduation ceremony.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

*California Preparatory Academy Class of 2023 move their tassels at the conclusion of their graduation ceremony.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

*CUSD Board of Trustees Lisa Davis, left, Michael Parham and Amy Hanacek applaud the California Preparatory Academy Class of 2023 at the conclusion of their graduation ceremony.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

*Kai Tinney receives his diploma from Principal Jolene Dougherty.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

*Jasmine Estrada receives her diploma from Principal Jolene Dougherty.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

*Elyse Eneinyang receives her diploma from Principal Jolene Dougherty.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

*Giovanna Sanchirico receives the Condors Award.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

*Vanessa Ngo receives the Principal’s Award.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

*Chase Marcot, left, and Megan Hamilton receive the special recognition award for 21st Century Learner.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

*Luke Harris, left, and Elyse Eneinyang receive the special recognition award for Outstanding Character.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

*Giovanna Sanchirico receives the Math Merit Award.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

*Alex Manzella, left, and Jasmine Estrada receive the Science Merit Award.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

*Alex Manzella, left, and Megan Hamilton receive the English Merit Award.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

*Samantha Markow receives the Social Studies Merit award. Not present but also receiving the award was Avalon Stucky.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

*Chase Markow receives a $5,000 ballet scholarship from The Music Center Spotlight Program.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

*Samantha Banuelos receives the Capistrano Unified Management Association Scholarship.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

*California Preparatory Academy graduates during their 2023 commencement ceremony. Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

*Cal Prep recipients of the California State Seal of Biliteracy.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

*Valedictorians stand on stage during the California Preparatory Academy graduation ceremony.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

*The 2023 California Preparatory Academy Graduation ceremony.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

*Jasmine Estrada walks up to the stage to give her Scholar of Scholars Speech during the California Preparatory Academy graduation ceremony.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

*The Pledge of Allegiance during the 2023 California Preparatory Academy graduation ceremony.*
*Photo by Steven Georges/CUSD Insider*

The graduating students are:

Chloe Noelle Lee

Sydney Isabella LeGrande

Jacob Daniel Lloyd

Lorenzo Philippe

Geslani Magdaluyo

Mason James Maniscalco

Alex Juliana Manzella

Chase Tillman Marcot

Samantha Ann Markow

Eden Ray McRory

Rylee Joy Mettler

Francesca Ava Migliaccio

Taylor Renee’ Mindte

Moises Morantes Castaneda

Abbey Reese Morgan

John Ryan Mulvee

Atticus James Nance

Yasmin Naraghi

Josie Marie Nathan

Vanessa Vy Ngo

Neeka Norouzi

Kenneth Ryan Pinkerton

Linsey Pram

Alexandra Marie Ramirez

Henry James Rogers

Ryan Ava Royston

Samantha Ruiz Alvarez

Giovanna Nicole Sanchirico

Avery Jill Sandlin

Kareem Sedehi

Toby David Stephens

Avalon Lorelei Stucky

Kai Michael Tinney

Makena Leigh Totaro

Miles Donaldson Trotter

Benci Christopher

Udovch Gottdank

Brett Logan Welch

Walker James Wendlandt

Payton Christie Young

Linhong (Chelsea) Yu

Jayda Aguilera

Luke Cristian Alcaraz

Chad William Anderson

Thomas Henry Andreoli

Blaine Helena Bacharach

Samantha Elaine Banuelos

Carlini Elizabeth Barbee

Alexander Barela

Thomas Xavier Barnum

Kole Webber Basilio

Brianna Reese Beitdashtoo

Christina Marie Benavides

Rocco Alexander Bennett

Samantha Marie Biniasz

Benjamin Robert Blair

Sophia Simone Boucly

Sage Elaine Bowman

Kaleb Thomas Brunke

Farid Cervantes

Matthew Atlas Chance

Wendy Melissa Chavez

Sophia Hope Cunningham

Saylor Kate Cushing

Guadalupe Del Rio

Elyse Fajardo Eneinyang

Jasmine Joy Estrada

Brenden Isaac Fields

Megan Grace Hamilton

Seth Mckee Hansen

Amelie Rodriguez Hardy

Luke William Harris

Ava Anahita Hashemi

Yasmeen Ysabel Hernandez

Mackenzie Downing Hodges

Katherine Christine Kiss

Helena Mei Kurtz

Wyatt Ming Kurtz

Carly Rose Lapes