Brandon Kao earned the Top Scholar Award and is an International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate, a National Merit Scholar Finalist, and National AP Scholar. 

Brandon was admitted to both Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Pennsylvania. Brandon will be attending Pennsylvania where he will take a double major.  Brandon will study Business Economics at the Wharton School and Engineering and Material Science at SEAS (the School of Engineering and Applied Science.)

Coleman Engstrom was recognized both as Valencia Outstanding Athlete but also as one of the two Tigers of the Year. 

While at Valencia, Coleman has been part of our Val-Tech Program and is on track to receive is Val-Tech Diploma. Coleman also excels nationally, being recognized as a National Merit Qualifier, finishing in the top 97% of all students nationwide. Coleman, because of all his "academic" accomplishments has been offered and accepted an appointment to the Naval Academy.

Kayla Yazloff has accumulated over 1,000 hours volunteering her technical skills backstage in the 900 seat Valencia High School Auditorium for community and school's Performing Art's groups.   Last fall, she was entrusted with designing the entire lighting for a major school play, Dracula, building over 150 lighting cues on the state of the art, ION lighting console.   Most recently, Kayla was awarded a first place trophy in the 95th Annual Drama Teacher's Association of Southern California's Shakespeare Festival.  She designed the lights along with a team of three students who collaborated on Set, Lights and Graphics for the play, Hamlet. 

 Kayla Yazloff has been accepted into the Stage Management Program at the California Institute of the Arts.  Each year, only five freshman are accepted into this prestigious program.

Valencia High School's Top Graduate for Community Service is Mayher Uppal.  Miss Uppal is an International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate, National Merit Scholarship Finalist, National AP Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction, and a Distinguished Scholar.  

Mayher is the Co-founder of Rising Leaders' Organization of Volunteers for the Elderly also known as RLOVE.  She has dedicated over 400 hours of service to this cause.

Miss Uppal has been accepted to the University of Pennsylvania on early decision.  In the Fall of 2014, 

Mayher will attend the University of Pennsylvania as a Health and Societies major following her graduation from Valencia High School.

Tiger of the Year Introduction   

 "The Tiger of the Year Award represents the highest honor given to a Valencia senior.  This is our valedictorian award. The young men and women nominated for this award are of the highest caliber academically.  But this award is not only about academic achievement. These students have also distinguished themselves through extensive involvement in extra-curricular activities.  Each one of them has been active on campus and in the community in volunteer service and student leadership.  Lastly, these students reflect the values and qualities that we as a staff hope to instill in every young person that pass through our school gates. 

Andrea Bae      

"This year's female Tiger of the Year is a very accomplished student. She is a young woman of significant influence, known around campus for her warm, friendly personality, and admired for both her leadership and academic abilities.  She is a one of 36 seniors recognized by the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program. 

Andrea is a two-sport student-athlete who earned three Varsity letters along with athletic honors as Varsity team captain, Empire League Player of the Year, and Empire League Scholar Athlete Awards. She also received the prestigious "Character of Honor Athlete" award in 2013 from the Orange County Athletic Directors Association.  As a senior this year she has served as ASB president. Her other leadership awards include 2012 Hugh O' Brian Youth Leadership Ambassador, 2013 Valencia Girls State Representative,  PYLUSD Superintendent's Student Advisory Council Representative, and PYLUSD School Board of Education, student representative. She will be attending the University of Notre Dame and plans to study English Literature.... A young woman who truly has the academic strength, heart of service, and leadership skills that characterize a Tiger of the Year candidate.

Coleman Engstrom

   "This year's male Tiger of the Year is a young man of many talents. He is a participant in the academically rigorous Valencia Academy program. This senior's academic awards include AP Scholar with Distinction, Empire League Scholar Athlete, California Scholarship Federation and National Honor Society.  

Coleman is a two-sport Varsity athlete. During his tenure at Valencia he has earned five Varsity letters, been honored as Varsity Team Captain in both Soccer and Aquatics, and earned positions on both the All-Empire League and All-CIF Teams. He is very active in our community where as a member of the Boy Scouts of America where he has earned their top award as an Eagle Scout. An active volunteer with his church; he serves on the Youth Leadership Council, participates in mission's trips to Mexico, coaches junior athletics, and volunteers at the Orange County Homeless Food Kitchen. 

Coleman has decided to accept an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. He will study Marine Biology.  A senior who truly exemplifies the qualities of our Valencia school motto: Pride, Tradition, and Excellence, 

Sincerely,

Jan Horton,

Editor

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