The Trojan Times - April 2026
Principal’s Message
Welcome to April, Trojans! As we return from a well-deserved Spring Break, we are officially beginning the fourth and final quarter of the 2025-2026 school year. This is always a high-energy time on campus as our seniors prepare for their final milestones and our underclassmen look toward finishing the year strong. While the finish line is in sight, we still have a wealth of learning and activities ahead of us before we reach graduation.
Reflecting on March, it was truly an extraordinary month for our school community. I want to extend a massive congratulations to our boys' soccer team for their incredible journey and for securing the CIF Division 4 State Championship—a testament to their grit and teamwork. Our performing arts department also reached new heights with "Dreamland." The musical was a phenomenal success, earning rave reviews and showcasing the professional-grade talent of our student performers and technicians across six packed shows. Furthermore, our spring sports teams have hit the ground running with an impressive string of early-season victories, and we look forward to cheering them on throughout the league play ahead.
In addition to our current student successes, it was a pleasure to look toward the future during our 8th Grade Family Night. The event was exceptionally well attended, and the energy in the air was palpable as we welcomed our incoming freshmen and their families to the University High School campus. It is always a highlight of the year to showcase our programs and see the next generation of Trojans begin their high school journey. Thank you for your continued support as we head into this final stretch of the year. Let’s make Quarter 4 our best one yet!
Community News
Trojan Army & Student Activities
March has been a busy month for our student leaders, marked by both a commitment to community service and the exciting start of our annual election season. We recently hosted a successful on-campus Blood Drive, providing our students with a meaningful way to give back and support local health initiatives. Ehe energy remains high as we transition into Election Convention preparation. Our prospective student leaders have been hard at work, beginning with Flag Making and the Meet the Candidates event. The process culminated on the Friday prior to Break with the highly anticipated Election Convention, where the "Elected 7" were chosen based on the critical votes of our student delegates. We look forward to seeing our next generation of leaders take their places in our school community.
College and Career Center
March brought great energy to campus with our 2026 Career Fair, where students connected with over 35+ professionals and explored a wide range of industries through hands-on experiences and conversations about future pathways. Building on that momentum, seniors are encouraged to continue applying for scholarships, including our Faculty Follies Future Educator Scholarship, along with additional opportunities from organizations like OCCACCF, National Charity League, and IUCPTA—many with April deadlines. Details are available on the UHS Scholarships website on Canvas.
As we return from Spring Break, we’re excited to keep that exploration going with our Out-of-State College Fair during lunch in the Crossroads on April 8. This is a great opportunity for students to discover colleges and locations they may not have previously considered and expand their college search.
Looking ahead, 9th–11th grade students can also begin planning for summer by exploring Summer ROP courses, with registration opening April 20. These classes offer a chance to dive into high-demand fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, climate sustainability, and supply chain management. Stop by the College & Career Center for more information.
Counselor Connections
During the month of March, the counseling team met with all 11th grade students for junior meetings. The annual spring freshman parent coffee was held on Zoom with great attendance of almost 200 parents! We welcomed our incoming 9th grade students and parents at our annual 8th grade family night. We also visited Rancho San Joaquin Middle school to present to incoming 9th grade students on the transition to high school. We will be visiting our other main feeder schools in April to present to those students as well. We will be meeting with current 9th grade students after spring break to choose classes for sophomore year. We will also be heading to Rancho San Joaquin Middle School to meet with incoming 9th grade parents for a Q&A session.
Trojan Athletics
Following our Boys Soccer team’s incredible run to the CIF State Championship, the individual accolades have officially arrived. We are proud to announce that Kasra Ghoddousi and Jake Rabold have been named to the 1st Team All-County, with Lucca Clouthier earning a spot on the 2nd Team All-County. These honors reflect the elite level of play and leadership these athletes brought to our historic season. Looking ahead, we are excited to celebrate our next generation of collegiate athletes during our Spring Signing Day on April 22nd. The ceremony will take place during Office Hours in the gym, where we will honor all students committed to continuing their athletic careers at the university level.
In coaching news, we are thrilled to welcome our very own Emily Johns as the new Head Coach of Girls Volleyball. We are excited for the energy and expertise she brings to the program and look forward to the team’s development under her leadership. Meanwhile, our spring sports are now deep into their schedules, with most teams having transitioned into league play. The competition is heating up, and we encourage the entire Trojan community to stay tuned for upcoming league championship races and potential CIF playoff berths as our athletes strive for the postseason.
UHS Boys Soccer wins California's Inaugural State Championship!
See the article memorializing the accomplishment from the OC Sports Zone.
Uni Arts Core
This month, the Uni Arts Core demonstrated exceptional rigor, reach, and impact. Highlights included hosting the Irvine Unified School District Middle School Theatre Festival, a sold-out spring musical Dreamland, and participation in regional festivals across instrumental music, vocal arts, theatre, and dance. Performing Arts students earned scholarships and college acceptances, while outreach initiatives and national travel to Hawaii and New York extended learning beyond the classroom. With enrollment shaping course availability for 2026–2027, it is important to note that sustained arts participation is consistently linked to stronger college applications, higher academic achievement, and the creative problem-solving skills sought by top universities and competitive industries.
We also remember and honor alumna Deja Allen (Class of 2019), whose dedication and artistry as a technician and designer continue to inspire our theatre community.
Competitions
Dominant Performance at State Qualifiers: Speech and Debate Heads to State
Following a successful weekend of intense competition in early March at the Orange County state qualifying tournament, we are thrilled to announce that seven of our students have earned a spot at the California State Championships in April. This achievement is the result of exceptional performances across multiple categories, including rigorous debate and speech events. Please join us in congratulating our state qualifiers: Ashvik Nacham, who advanced through a highly competitive field in Lincoln Douglas Debate; Audrey Huang, Carmel Tebyani, and Miles Valentine, who secured their bids in Congressional Debate; Nick Mohandesi and Justin Wu, who placed in the top three for Impromptu Speaking; and Lucia Yu, who qualified in both Impromptu and Informative Speaking. Additionally, Justin Wu earned a first-place finish in Original Advocacy for his speech on Medicare. We are incredibly proud of these talented individuals and look forward to cheering them on at the state level.
Chemistry Olympiad: Two Trojans Selected for National Competition
Early in March University High School students competed in the annual ACS Regional Chemistry Olympiad, finishing in an impressive second place out of 37 schools in Orange County. We are proud to announce that Feodor Yevtushenko and Carl (Jiayou) Liu performed well enough to be among the only 12 students in the county selected to advance to the National Chemistry Olympiad in April. In addition to Feodor and Carl, students Thomas (Youjia) Wu, Virat Varada, and Dev Batra were also recognized for their top-tier performances representing our school. These results highlight the exceptional strength of our chemistry program across all levels, and we wish our national qualifiers the best of luck as they aim for the prestigious national study camp.
Science Bowl: Undefeated Regional Champions
Our University High School Science Bowl Team delivered a dominant performance at UCLA, successfully defending their title as Regional Champions. The team—consisting of Captain Feodor Yevtushenko, Angelina Yan, Timothy Chen, Priya Kim-Ozaeta, and Stephanie Yang—went entirely undefeated throughout the day, showcasing elite knowledge in biology, chemistry, physics, math, and earth sciences. After a series of commanding victories over schools from across Southern California, including a thrilling narrow win against Whitney High School, UHS defeated Troy High School 150–114 in the finals. By maintaining a perfect record through the double-elimination bracket, our students have earned an all-expenses-paid trip to represent our region at the National Science Bowl competition in Washington, D.C., this April.
UHS Ocean Science Bowl: Undefeated National "Sponge Bowl" Champions
Earlier this month, five dedicated students from our Ocean Science Bowl team demonstrated their immense academic range by competing against schools from across the country in the prestigious National Virtual Sponge Bowl. We are thrilled to announce that our students went entirely undefeated throughout the competition, culminating in a hard-fought championship match victory over Arcadia High School with a final score of 96–85. The competition featured incredibly challenging questions spanning physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, and complex environmental policy. While there is no formal national follow-up event this year, the team has earned a championship trophy that will soon be proudly displayed in our school’s trophy case. Please join us in congratulating our brilliant competitors: seniors Angelina Yan, Matthew Feng, and Nethra Iyer; junior Avery Hexun; and sophomore Joanne Chen. Their success is a testament to their own hard work and the foundational excellence provided by their teachers across all scientific disciplines.
UHS-MUN Hosts 15th Annual Spring Conference
Saturday, March 21st, our campus buzzed with international diplomacy as we hosted the 15th Annual University High School Model United Nations Spring Conference. We were honored to welcome approximately 200 delegates from 12 visiting schools to engage in rigorous debate on the world’s most pressing global issues. The event featured a special guest at the Opening Ceremonies, Irvine Councilmember Melinda Liu of District 1, who presented City of Irvine Certificates of Achievement to the Best Delegate winners from each of our nine committees. Orchestrating an event of this magnitude is a significant logistical feat, and we owe a huge debt of gratitude to our Secretariat for their tireless work. Special recognition goes to Director General Tyler Brody and Secretary General Gidget Smith for their leadership in the organizational heavy-lifting, as well as our weekend custodian, Amador, whose constant support helped make the day a resounding success.
UHSMUN Shines at Berkeley Invitational
In mid-March, 18 of our UHSMUN delegates traveled north to participate in the prestigious Berkeley Model United Nations conference. Beyond the opportunity to explore the Bay Area and connect with peers from across the globe, our students engaged in three days of intensive committee sessions that required months of rigorous preparation. We are incredibly proud of the entire delegation for their diplomatic skill and dedication. Special congratulations go to Ethan Shapiro and Krish Prem, who earned Outstanding and Research honors in the Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee (SOCHUM), as well as Cameron Weng, who received both a Commendation and a Research award in the Joint Crisis Committee (JCC). Additionally, Commendations were awarded to the teams of Sanam Sarafian and Janet Zhao, Amanda Rahimi and Gianna Kim, Nico Higuchi and Mark Kuang, and Govind Kanchi and Kasra Sarafian, along with Gidget Smith for her individual performance in the U.S. Senate committee.
UHS Reminders and Announcements
Making Summer Break plans? - consider our school calendar
As you begin to make vacation plans for your family, please ensure that your child is able to be present at school until the end of the academic semester. Students will not be able to make up Finals or any outstanding work or assessments after Spring semester concludes on June, 5. Note that Senior Finals are scheduled for May 28 & 29. Finals grades 9-11 are scheduled for June 2, 3, 4 & 5.
IUSD AI Parent Information Night
As AI continues to rapidly shape the world our students will live and work in, we invite families to join us for a virtual parent information session on Wednesday, April 15, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. via Zoom at bit.ly/AIParentNight2026. This session will provide valuable insights into IUSD’s vision for artificial intelligence in the classroom, highlighting the district’s efforts to support effective and responsible AI integration. Participants will see real-world examples of how AI is being thoughtfully implemented in instruction and learn about AI literacy content designed to empower students to use these tools both ethically and effectively. Furthermore, the presentation will cover current projections for college and career readiness in an AI-rich world, ensuring our students are prepared for the future. For more information, please join us for this event or visit [//iusd.org/AI]iusd.org/AI.
Allyship in Action: 5th Annual Abilities Awareness Event
The Irvine Unified School District’s Special Education Department and Community Advisory Committee cordially invite the community to the 5th Annual Abilities Awareness Event on Thursday, April 22, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Solis Park School. Centered on the theme “Allyship in Action!,” this celebration honors the unique strengths and talents of every individual in IUSD while highlighting the powerful partnerships between teachers, students, and families. This free, public event is designed to foster connections and provide valuable community resources through a Family Resource Fair and a marketplace featuring products created by local diverse talents. Families can also enjoy a guest DJ performance, engaging activities for all ages and abilities, and a variety of delicious options from local food trucks. We hope you will join us for this wonderful evening of appreciation and inclusion as we celebrate the diverse abilities that make our school communities so special.
Our Power, Our Planet: IUSD Earth Day Poster and Video Contest
In celebration of Earth Day, the IUSD sustainability team is inviting all PK-12 students to participate in the District’s Annual Earth Day Student Poster and Video Contest. This year’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet: School and Community-led Climate Action,” challenges students to showcase their creativity through original, high-impact messages that advocate for environmental stewardship. Students may submit hand-drawn or digital posters (maximum size 12”x18”) or produced videos between 60 and 90 seconds in length; please note that AI-generated content is strictly prohibited. Submissions will be evaluated on originality and visual appeal, with three top winners selected per grade level to be featured on the District’s website and social media. Individual or group entries of up to four students are welcome, and all physical posters should be dropped off at the school front office with the student's details included on the back. Videos should be emailed to 2026earthdaycontest@iusd.org. All submissions must be received by April 22, 2026, with winners to be announced on May 30.
Upcoming Events
4.6 Return from Spring Break
4.7 Donald Bren Honors Concert - 7:00 pm at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
4.8 Baseball GOW
4.10 Spring Pep Rally
4.10 Comedy Sportz Staff Match - 6:30 pm in the Theater
4.16 Visual Arts Gallery Opening in the Library
4.17, 18, 24, 25 Dance Concert - 7:00 pm in the Theater
4.20 Girls Lacrosse GOW
4.22 Boys Lacrosse GOW
4.22 Jazz Extravaganza - 6:30 pm in the Theater
4.29 Softball GOW
4.30 Broadway Rocks (Choir Show) - 7:00 pm in the Theater